Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died Easter Monday at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican said in a video statement on Monday. He was 88.
“Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced on the Vatican’s TV channel.  “At 7:35 this morning the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.,” he continued.

His 12-year papacy was marked by efforts to reform and modernize the Church, often facing internal divisions and challenges.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, he was elected pope in 2013, succeeding Benedict XVI. His tenure was characterized by a commitment to simplicity, social justice, and outreach to marginalized communities.​

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis dealt with multiple health issues, including chronic knee and back pain that required the use of a wheelchair.

Mourning rites last nine days, with the date of the funeral and burial to be decided by the cardinals. The funeral Mass is still expected to be held in St. Peter’s Square, but unlike many predecessors, Francis asked to at Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major, a place of personal significance, to be near his favorite icon of the Madonna.

In November 2024, he requested to be buried in a simple, zinc-lined wooden casket, deviating from the traditional three interlocking caskets used for previous popes.