Francis the 266th Pope
The Death of Pope Francis
Pope Francis, the 266th Bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church since March 2013, passed away on Easter Monday, 21 April 2025, at the age of 88 in his residence at Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City. The announcement was made by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, following canonical procedures. The cause of death was confirmed as a cerebral stroke with irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.
His twelve-year pontificate was marked by engagement with global issues, attention to vulnerable communities, and careful navigation of internal Church and international affairs. Pope Francis remained a reference point not only for the faithful but also for secular observers and institutions worldwide.
With his passing, the Vatican enters the period of sede vacante, initiating canonical protocols for mourning and the election of his successor. Funeral rites are planned according to ecclesiastical norms, and reactions from religious communities, world leaders, and citizens highlight the global significance of his role and the legacy of his pontificate.
Marco Cordone©