Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide, has passed away. He died at age 88 in Vatican City.
The Vatican announced his death in a short statement released on Easter Monday.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.”
“At 7:35 this morning (local time), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”
“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.”
Francis died in his residence at Casa Santa Marta. This is the guesthouse inside Vatican City where he had lived since his election in 2013. He chose the modest lodging over the lavish Apostolic Palace.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Pope Francis became the first Jesuit and first Latin American pope. He was also the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years.
He was known for promoting humility, social justice, and a simpler lifestyle both in life—and now, in death.
Simple Funeral for a Humble Pope
Before his death, Pope Francis gave instructions to reduce the pomp often associated with papal funerals.
Historically, popes were buried in three nested coffins—cypress, lead, and oak. Francis asked for a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc instead.
Past popes’ bodies were usually displayed on a raised platform called a catafalque inside St Peter’s Basilica. Crowds would pass by and pay their last respects.
Francis requested something different. His body will remain inside the coffin, but the lid will be removed to allow quiet mourning.
Even his final resting place marks a break from tradition.
Instead of being buried under St Peter’s Basilica like many of his predecessors, Francis will be laid to rest in the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome.
It’s one of the four major papal basilicas and a church Francis visited often during his pontificate. He went there to pray after nearly every foreign trip.
Legacy of a Reformist
During his time as pope, Francis pushed the Church to be more inclusive. He spoke out for the poor, the environment, and against abuses in the Church.
The late pontiff also opened discussions on difficult topics like LGBTQ inclusion, climate change, and divorced Catholics receiving communion.
He faced resistance from conservatives but continued to lead with a focus on mercy, dialogue, and compassion.
Francis’ final decisions about his funeral reflect the same values he lived by.
He wanted simplicity, dignity, and closeness to the people—not pageantry.
“Even in death, he reminds us what it means to live like Christ,” a Vatican official said off-record.
His papacy changed how many viewed the role of the pope—not as a ruler in gold, but as a servant in sandals.
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