Reports emanating from the Holy See’s Dicastery for Communication indicate that Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State is dead.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, confirmed the death of Pope Francis at the Casa Santa Marta.
“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.
“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,” Cardinal Farrell stated.
How Pope Francis simplified funeral rites before death
Meanwhile, according to a Vatican News report, the late Pope Francis in April 2024 approved an updated edition of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites.
Although the funeral Mass for Pope Francis is yet to be announced, the updated edition of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites will guide the funeral of the late Pope.
“The second edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis introduces several new elements, including how the Pope’s mortal remains are to be handled after death.
“The ascertainment of death takes place in the chapel, rather than in the room where he died, and his body is immediately placed inside the coffin,” the report reads.
According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, the late Pope Francis had requested that the funeral rites be simplified and focused on expressing the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ.
“The renewed rite,” said Archbishop Ravelli, “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.”
Recall that Pope Francis was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on Friday, February 14, 2025, after suffering from a bout of bronchitis for several days.
Pope Francis’ clinical situation gradually worsened, and his doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia on Tuesday, February 18.
After 38 days in hospital, the late Pope returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.
