Pope Francis dead aged 88 - updates as tributes paid to leader of Catholic Church

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, a spokesperson for the Vatican has confirmed this morning (April 21). The first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church passed away at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta on Easter Monday. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, a senior Vatican official described his 'deep sorrow' as he announced the death, which is understood to have occurred shortly after 7.

30am. Francis, who worked briefly as a nightclub bouncer in his native Argentina, had been Pope since march 2013 following the resignation of Benedict XVI. On Easter Sunday, he had emerged from his convalescence to bless the thousands of people in St Peter’s Square and treat them to a surprise popemobile drive through the piazza, drawing wild cheers and applause as he continues his recovery from a near-fatal bout of double pneumonia.



“Viva il Papa!” (Long live the Pope ), “Bravo!” the crowd shouted as Francis looped through the square in his open-topped popemobile and then up and down the main avenue leading to it Key Events Pope dead aged 88, senior Vatican official announces 09:08 09:11 Nicole Wootton-Cane Pope died in his residence on Easter Monday The Pope died in his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta on Easter Monday, the Vatican has said. Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. pic.

twitter.com/jUIkbplVi2 — Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 21, 2025 Share 09:08 KEY EVENT Pope dead aged 88, senior Vatican official announces Pope Francis has died aged 88, according to an announcement from a senior Vatican official this morning. The Vatican’s camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Ferrell said in his announcement about the Pope’s death: “At 7.

35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,′′ Cardinal Farrell said in the announcement. “He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for 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 God, One and Tribune.” Share.