“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” said Farrell. 

“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.”

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis made history in 2013 when he became the first Jesuit pope, the first Latin American pope, and the first non-European leader of the Catholic Church in over a millennium.

Over a papacy spanning more than a decade, he earned global recognition for championing the environment, the poor, interfaith dialogue, and a more inclusive and compassionate Church.

The Holy Father had faced persistent health challenges in recent years.

Health issues

On February 14, 2025, he was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital after experiencing bronchitis.

His condition worsened over the following days, and doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia on February 18.

After spending 38 days in hospital, he was discharged to continue recovery at his Vatican residence, where he ultimately passed away.

His respiratory problems dated back to 1957, when, in his early twenties, he underwent surgery in Argentina to remove part of a lung following a severe infection.

These complications resurfaced frequently in his later years, including in November 2023 when he was forced to cancel a planned visit to the United Arab Emirates due to influenza and lung inflammation.

In anticipation of his passing, Pope Francis had approved a revised edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis—the liturgical book for papal funerals—in April 2024.

This new edition outlines simplified funeral rites and emphasizes the Pope’s role as a pastor and disciple of Christ rather than as a worldly figure. According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, the late Pope personally requested that the funeral be centered on the Church’s faith in the resurrection.

“The renewed rite,” Archbishop Ravelli explained, “seeks to emphasise even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world.”

The Vatican has not yet announced the date of the funeral or details about the upcoming conclave, which will be convened to elect a new pope.

As tributes pour in from around the world, Pope Francis is being remembered as a humble servant who redefined the papacy in the 21st century and brought renewed moral urgency to the Catholic Church’s mission in an era of global change.