The Vatican has announced the passing of the 266th head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88.
The news of the death of Pope Francis was delivered Monday morning by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo.
Cardinal Ferrel said in the announcement that, “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church″.
The camerlengo said, “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized”.
“With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”
The timing of Pope Francis’ passing—on Easter Monday, the day after the celebration of Christ’s resurrection—added a powerful symbolic weight to the moment.
Newsmata.com.ng recalls that just hours before his death, on Easter Sunday morning, (April 20) Pope Francis received the Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, in what is now known to be his final official meeting.
They exchanged Easter greetings, and thereafter, they got into a long-distance tangle over the Trump administration’s migrant deportation plans.
Vance with Pope Francis on Sunday, April 20, 2025 at The Vatican
Francis, who was recovering from a near-fatal bout of pneumonia, received Vance in one of the reception rooms of the Vatican hotel where he lived.
The 88-year-old pope offered the Catholic vice president three big chocolate Easter eggs for Vance’s three young children who did not attend, as well as a Vatican tie and rosaries.
“I know you have not been feeling great but it’s good to see you in better health,” Vance had told the Pope. “Thank you for seeing me.”
Vance’s motorcade entered Vatican City through a side gate while Easter Mass was being celebrated in St. Peter’s Square. Francis had delegated the celebration of the Mass to another cardinal.
The Vatican said they met for a few minutes at the Domus Santa Marta “to exchange Easter greetings.”
Vance’s office said the vice president “expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for inviting him to meet on Easter Sunday and for the hospitality the Vatican has extended to his family.”
Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and was elected pontiff in March 2013, becoming the first Jesuit Pope and the first from the Americas.
Throughout his twelve-year pontificate, he became a global voice for unity, compassion, and justice. His commitment to building bridges across Christian denominations and other faiths was a hallmark of his leadership, as he urged the world to embrace dialogue, humility, and mercy.
In his tireless mission to take the Word of God and the comfort of His love to the whole human family, Pope Francis visited 68 countries, reaching millions with his message of hope. Known for his humility and simplicity, he famously rejected the grand Apostolic Palace in favor of a modest room in Casa Santa Marta, where he chose to live among the people he served.