Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 7:35 a.m. CEST (Central European Summer Time) at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City. The Vatican officially confirmed his death approximately two hours later, at around 9:30 a.m., through a statement released by Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
His death occurred just hours after Easter Sunday celebrations, a significant day in the Catholic calendar, further amplifying the poignancy of his passing. Although Pope Francis had not presided over the traditional Easter Vigil Mass the night before, he had reportedly spent time in quiet prayer with close aides.
Francis had been recovering from recent health setbacks, including a bout of double pneumonia that required hospitalization in late March. While his condition had improved, he had only resumed light public duties and remained largely under observation by his medical team.
On the morning of April 21, Vatican sources say Pope Francis had awoken around 5:00 a.m., received a brief visit from his personal physician, and requested time alone in prayer. He was later found unresponsive by aides shortly after 7:00 a.m., and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
Within hours, the Apostolic Palace and St. Peter’s Basilica had lowered their flags to half-staff. Bells tolled across Rome, signaling the death of a pontiff whose papacy redefined the modern Catholic Church.
His death marks the end of a 12-year papacy and the beginning of a sede vacante, the period in which the Holy See is without a pope, until the College of Cardinals gathers to elect a successor.
