Pope Francis dies at 88, marking the end of a transformative papacy that reshaped the modern Catholic Church. He passed away peacefully after suffering a stroke on Easter Monday, just hours after delivering his final address. His death has ignited a global outpouring of grief, with heads of state and millions of faithful preparing for a historic farewell in Rome.
Final Hours and a Humble Exit
According to the Vatican, Pope Francis began feeling unwell early Monday morning and slipped into a coma shortly after. Officials described his passing as a “discreet death,” reflective of his lifelong devotion to humility. True to his character, Francis had previously requested to avoid pomp in death, seeking a simple ceremony and burial.
A Historic Break from Tradition
In a move that departs from over a century of Vatican burial customs, Pope Francis will not be entombed in St Peter’s Basilica. Instead, he will be laid to rest at the Basilica of St Mary Major, one of Rome’s oldest churches. His grave will bear only the Latin inscription “Franciscus,” in accordance with his wishes for simplicity and modesty.
World Leaders to Join Farewell Ceremony
The funeral service, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025, will begin at 10:00 a.m. in St Peter’s Square. The ceremony will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re and is expected to draw a crowd of nearly 250,000 mourners.
Among the global dignitaries confirmed to attend are:
- Donald Trump, President of the United States
- Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine
- Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
- Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil
- Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
- Emmanuel Macron, President of France
- King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain
- Prince William of the United Kingdom
- Javier Milei, President of Argentina
Their presence underscores Pope Francis’s broad influence across continents and political ideologies.
Legacy of a People’s Pope
Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, led the Church from 2013 until his death. Throughout his 12-year papacy, he championed the poor, reformed Church structures, and emphasized pastoral care over doctrine. Known for his unpretentious lifestyle—residing in a guesthouse instead of the Apostolic Palace—he won the hearts of many across the globe, Catholic and non-Catholic alike.
His outreach to marginalized groups, commitment to interfaith dialogue, and efforts to confront clerical abuse scandals defined a new era of papal leadership grounded in humility and empathy.
What Comes Next for the Church
Following the funeral, the Catholic Church will enter a nine-day mourning period known as Novemdiales. Thereafter, the College of Cardinals will gather in a conclave to elect the next pope. The Dean of the College has up to 20 days to convene the cardinals in Rome.
Speculation is already swirling about potential successors, with attention turning toward rising African and Asian cardinals—an indication of the Church’s shifting demographic center and its increasingly global character.
A Global Farewell
As the world prepares to say goodbye, Pope Francis dies at 88 not just as a spiritual leader but as a symbol of unity, humility, and reform. His funeral is poised to be one of the most attended religious events in recent history—a fitting tribute to a man who reshaped Catholicism for the modern world.
From Vatican City to Buenos Aires, from Nairobi to Manila, candles will be lit and prayers will be said for the humble pope who walked with the people—and now rests among them.
