Vatican City / Rome, 21 April 2025
Pope Francis is dead. He died on Monday at 7:35 a.m., Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced in a statement released by the Vatican press office. The Pope was 88 years old. He died while recovering from a severe case of pneumonia, one day after he appeared for the Urbi et Orbi blessing to greet the faithful.
The Vatican released the following words from Cardinal Farrell:
“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.”
The Pope 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.
In 1957, in his early 20s, Jorge Mario Bergoglio underwent surgery in his native Argentina to remove a portion of his lung that had been affected by a severe respiratory infection.
As he aged, Pope Francis frequently suffered bouts of respiratory illnesses, even cancelling a planned visit to the United Arab Emirates in November 2023 due to influenza and lung inflammation.
In April 2024, the late Pope Francis approved an updated edition of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites, which will guide the funeral Mass which has yet to be announced.
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.
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.”
Source – Vatican News
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on X:
Today, the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis. He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate. My thoughts are with all who feel this profound loss. May they find solace in the idea that Pope Francis’ legacy will continue to guide us all toward a more just, peaceful and compassionate world.
Bundespräsident Steinmeier kondoliert zum Tod von Papst Franziskus
Berlin, 21 April 2025
Bundespräsident Frank-Walter Steinmeier hat dem Dekan des Kardinalskollegiums, Giovanni Battista Kardinal Re, zum Tod von Seiner Heiligkeit Papst Franziskus kondoliert. Der Bundespräsident schreibt:
“Im Namen der Bundesrepublik Deutschland spreche ich Ihnen, den Mitgliedern des Kardinalskollegiums und allen Angehörigen der Katholischen Kirche mein tief empfundenes Beileid aus.
Besonders die Katholikinnen und Katholiken, aber – in ökumenischer Verbundenheit – auch viele evangelische Christinnen und Christen bei uns in Deutschland trauern mit mir um einen bedeutenden Papst und den direkten Nachfolger des aus Deutschland stammenden Benedikt XVI.
Mit Franziskus verliert die Welt ein leuchtendes Zeichen der Hoffnung, einen glaubwürdigen Anwalt der Menschlichkeit und einen überzeugenden Christen. Seine Bescheidenheit, seine Spontaneität und sein Humor, vor allem aber sein spürbar tiefer Glaube haben Menschen auf der ganzen Welt berührt – und Halt, Kraft und Orientierung gegeben.
Für so viele Menschen war Franziskus ein glaubwürdiger Zeuge der christlichen Botschaft, dem vor allem die gelebte Praxis des Glaubens wichtig war.
Dass die Armen und Ausgegrenzten, die Vertriebenen und Geflüchteten seiner besonderen Aufmerksamkeit, seiner besonderen Sorge, ja seiner besonderen Liebe sicher sein konnten, machte er von den ersten Tagen seines Dienstes als Bischof von Rom an sichtbar. Viele, die sich als vergessen empfanden, fühlten sich von ihm, dem Papst, gehört, gesehen und verstanden.
Sein Amt begriff Papst Franziskus immer als einen Dienst an allen Christen, ja an allen Menschen guten Willens. Er gestaltete es als ein Angebot zum Dialog, als ein Brückenbauen, als eine Einladung, mitzuwirken an einer besseren und gerechteren Welt.
Franziskus war ein Mann des Friedens. Und er war zutiefst überzeugt: Der Frieden, der in so vielen Teilen der Welt so schmerzlich vermisst und ersehnt wird, dieser Frieden kann nur dort wachsen und bleiben, wo sich Menschen unterschiedlicher Überzeugungen, unterschiedlicher Glaubensrichtungen und unterschiedlicher Lebensweisen mit Respekt und Wertschätzung und mit dem Willen zur Versöhnung begegnen.
Aus seinem christlichen Glauben heraus war das Wirken für den Frieden für Papst Franziskus untrennbar verbunden mit der Sorge um die Bewahrung der Schöpfung und um eine gerechte Wirtschaftsordnung. Seine großen Rundschreiben, besonders ‘Laudato si’ und ‘Fratelli tutti’, legen ein beeindruckendes Zeugnis von diesen politischen und gesellschaftlichen Anliegen aus gläubiger Verantwortung ab.
Wir alle können dankbar sein für Franziskus und sein segensreiches Wirken.”
Quelle – Der Bundespräsident
The Papal Funeral Procedures
Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, the Catholic Church has initiated official procedures for the papal funeral and the election of his successor, as outlined in the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis and recent reforms approved by Pope Francis himself.
Confirmation of Death and Initial Actions: The Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, formally verifies the Pope’s death and oversees the destruction of the Fisherman’s Ring and the papal seal, symbolizing the end of the pontificate. The Pope’s private residence at Santa Marta is sealed.
Lying in State and Funeral Rites: The Pope’s body lies in state at St. Peter’s Basilica for the faithful to pay their respects. The funeral Mass is held in St. Peter’s Square.
Simplified Funeral Rites according to the 2024 Reforms: Pope Francis approved a revised edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, simplifying the funeral rites to emphasize his role as a bishop rather than a worldly figure. Key changes include:
- Elimination of the traditional triple coffin; instead, a simple wooden coffin with a zinc lining is used.
- The body is not placed on an elevated bier but lies in a simple coffin for viewing.
- Burial at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, honoring his devotion to the Virgin Mary.
The Papal Conclave Procedures
Preparation and General Congregations: Cardinals under the age of 80 gather in Rome for General Congregations to discuss Church matters and the upcoming election.
Timing of the Conclave: The conclave begins 15 to 20 days after the Pope’s death, allowing time for mourning and the arrival of all cardinal electors.
Conclave Proceedings: Held in the Sistine Chapel, the conclave is conducted under strict secrecy. Cardinals take an oath of secrecy, and all forms of external communication are prohibited. Voting occurs twice daily; a two-thirds majority is required to elect a new pope. Ballots are burned after each voting session: Black smoke indicates no decision; white smoke announces the election of a new pope.
Announcement of the New Pope: Upon acceptance, the new pope chooses a papal name. The senior cardinal deacon announces the election with the phrase “Habemus Papam” from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
For detailed information, refer to the full text of Universi Dominici Gregis, the apostolic constitution governing these procedures.