Pope Francis death confirmed – The Vatican announced early Monday that Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time at the Casa Santa Marta guesthouse, where he resided. Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, head of the Vatican’s health department, reported that a cerebral stroke led to a coma and “irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse,” compounded by heart failure. Francis was 88.
Just a day earlier, the pontiff had emerged from more than a month-long hospital stay for bilateral pneumonia to deliver his surprise Easter Sunday blessing to thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square. That public appearance would prove to be his last.
A Lifetime of Service and Final Illness
In his statement, Dr. Arcangeli detailed the health struggles that preceded the papal death: respiratory insufficiency episodes, type 2 diabetes and hypertension, alongside the double pneumonia that hospitalized him in recent weeks. Despite these challenges, Francis’s decision to greet the faithful on Easter underscored his dedication.
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Pope Francis Death : Global Reactions and Immediate Responses
World leaders and religious figures swiftly paid tribute. On social media, President Trump announced that he and First Lady Melania Trump will travel to Rome for the funeral. Meanwhile, Cardinal Timothy Dolan—Archbishop of New York—will celebrate a Mass for the late pope at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Tuesday at noon ET before departing for Rome and the forthcoming conclave to elect the next pontiff.
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LGBTQ Community Honors His Inclusive Legacy
Francis’s outreach to LGBTQ Catholics drew particular praise:
- Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, lauded the pope’s use of the word “gay” in a loving context and his calls to accompany and dialogue with marginalized people.
- GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis called him a “transformational leader,” noting his landmark remarks—“who am I to judge?”—and his approval of blessings for same-sex couples in 2023, asserting that “homosexuality is not a crime.”
Pope Francis’s Final Wishes Revealed
On Monday, the Vatican released the late pope’s will (dated June 29, 2022), in which he requested burial at the Basilica of St. Mary Major—home to his favorite Marian icon—in lieu of the customary interment at St. Peter’s Basilica. He stipulated that his underground tomb be “simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus.”
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Key Facts About Pope Francis’s Passing
- When did Pope Francis die? Monday at 7:35 a.m. local time.
- Cause of death: Cerebral stroke leading to irreversible heart failure.
- Final public appearance: Easter Sunday blessing in St. Peter’s Square after recovering from pneumonia.
- Age and health history: 88 years old; history of pneumonia, respiratory insufficiency, type 2 diabetes, hypertension.
- Burial wishes: Interment at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in a simple vault inscribed “Franciscus.”
Looking Ahead: Conclave and Succession
With the sudden vacancy of the Holy See, cardinals. Including those from the United States—will convene in conclave to elect Francis’s successor. Questions now turn to potential candidates such as Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, among others. The church prepares to choose a new shepherd for over a billion Catholics worldwide.
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