Religion

Pope Francis Dead, Vatican Says

APR 21 2025·Updated APR 23 2025

Story

Above: Pope Francis delivers his traditional 'Urbi et Orbi' Blessing from the balcony of St. Peter's basilica overlooking St. Peter's Square in Vatican City on April 20, 2025. Image credit: Stefano Costantino/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Contributor via Getty Images

The Facts

Pope Francis — head of the Catholic Church for the last 12 years — has died aged 88, the Vatican said in a statement on Monday.
Independent
Politico
"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis," Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, said in Monday's announcement.
Vatican News
"At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father," the statement added. "His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church."
Vatican News
Prior to his passing, Francis underwent a prolonged period of ill health, spending five weeks in a Rome hospital after he was diagnosed with a respiratory tract infection and pneumonia in both lungs in February.
guardian
Sky News
He was last publicly seen on Sunday delivering his Easter Urbi et Orbi message from the loggia of St Peter's Basilica. He called for peace across a number of conflicts, but singled out the "endless outburst of violence" on the Holy Land.
Vatican
ICN
Sky News
Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the first South American and the first Jesuit to hold the papacy after succeeding Benedict XVI in 2013. The process of choosing a new pope (known as conclave) typically starts within 20 days of the pontiff's death.
Independent
Politico
Sky News

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

The passing of Pope Francis, who spent his whole life in dedication to the Lord, comes with great sorrow. 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.

Vatican News

Narrative B

Even though Pope Francis' own personal record largely lived up to the Christian values he espoused, it cannot be ignored that his tenure was dominated by an ongoing decline in the relevance and reach of Catholicism globally, not least due to a multitude of abuse scandals that have continued to drive individuals away from faith.