Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican announced in a video statement last night.
He was 88 years old and had recently survived a serious bout of double pneumonia.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced on the Vatican’s TV channel, “Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness that I must announce the death of our Holy Father. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”
The Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on February 14, 2025, after suffering from bronchitis for several days. His condition gradually worsened, and his doctors diagnosed him with bilateral pneumonia on February 18.
After 38 days in the hospital, the late Pope returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.
In his last public appearance on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis spoke briefly, wishing a happy Easter in a raspy voice to about 35,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
In a traditional Easter message, read by an aide, he reiterated his frequent call for a ceasefire in Gaza, calling the humanitarian situation in the enclave “deplorable.”
The Pope also called on the Palestinian militant group Hamas to release its remaining hostages and condemned what he called a “worrisome” trend of antisemitism around the world.
President Donald Trump ordered flags to be flown at half-staff as a “mark of respect for the memory” of Pope Francis.
The order applies to “all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its territories and possessions until sunset on the day of interment,” Trump wrote in the proclamation.
Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata said in a statement this morning, “The passing of His Holiness Pope Francis is of great international significance, but for more than a billion Catholics worldwide, this is also a time of personal and private reflection. I am saddened to learn of his passing, yet grateful for his many years of life and leadership, as he presided over the immense global efforts of the Church in worship, charity, and education. In time, there will be books written about his work, accomplishments, and priorities, especially his heart for the world’s people struggling with poverty.
“Today, we are simply thankful for him and join millions of Catholic families in mourning this loss. It is meaningful that he was able to complete Easter this year. May much good come from this extended reflection on his life, so soon after our Easter time of renewal in faith and love.”
