Pope Francis shared a heartfelt two-word message with followers just one day before he died. The pontiff passed away shortly after 7.30am on Easter Monday (April 21), the Vatican has confirmed.
Francis, 88, had suffered an extended period of ill health in the months leading up to his death. After being admitted to the Gemelli Hospital in Rome with bronchitis on February 14, many of his planned events were cancelled. However, the late Catholic leader did appear from the Vatican’s pope mobile less than 24 hours before his death to bless crowds who had gathered to celebrate Easter Sunday (April 20).
In a video posted to X, Francis can be heard saying: “Buona Pasqua,” Italian for “Happy Easter.” Sharing the clip, a follower wrote: “Pope Francis died this morning. Yesterday, I filmed him saying ‘Buona Pasqua.’
“I didn’t know I was looking at him for the last time. Didn’t know I was capturing a goodbye. Thank you Papa Francesco for everything.”
Announcing the news today from Casa Santa Marta – close to St Peter’s Basilica – Vatican camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Ferrell said: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7.35am, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.
“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 favour 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.”
Francis – whose birth name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio – was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936.
He earned a chemical technician’s diploma in high school before entering the Jesuit novitiate in March 1958.
In 1969 he became a Catholic priest and was appointed superior of the Jesuit province of Argentina just four years later. In 1992 Francis was named an auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires by Pope John Paul II.
He was promoted five years later to coadjutor archbishop, before becoming head of the archdiocese in 1998.
Three years later, Pope John Paul II named him to the College of Cardinals. Francis became pope at the age of 76 on March 13, 2013.
He succeeded Pope Benedict XVI, who became the first pope in 600 years to step down from office as, in a rapidly-changing modern world and at the age of 85, felt he was “no longer suited” to the papacy.
The late pontiff was the Jesuit pope and the first to take the name Francis. He was considered a modern pope, advocating for progressive issues and dedicating time to reforming the Catholic Church.
Some issues he held close to his heart included climate change, human rights, immigration, modern slavery and LGBTQ+ rights.
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Cookie Notice.