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A nine day mourning period has begun with the death of Pope Francis, who died Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, according to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office.

"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," Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, said, according to the statement, which was released at 9:47 a.m. CEST.

"His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and 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," the statement said.
"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 official announcement of Pope Francis' death released by the Holy See Press Office.

Francis had been battling pneumonia. He was admitted to Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome on February 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.

His death came less than 24 hours after he blessed thousands of people who gathered for Easter Sunday mass in St. Peter's Square. He passed on his text to be read by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations. He later surprised the people by taking a spin in the Popemobile through St. Peter's Square, where people cheered "Viva il Papa!"

Meeting with U.S. Vice President:

Francis also met briefly Easter Sunday with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. The Vatican said the two met in a reception room of the Vatican hotel, where the pontiff lived.

"I know you have not been feeling great, but it's good to see you in better health," Vance told the pope, according to a video footage released of the meeting. "Thank you for seeing me."

Francis was hospitalized in February, according to Vatican News, the official news portal for the Vatican and the Holy See. An extended stay at the hospital revealed he was suffering from double pneumonia. In a press conference on Friday, February 21, covered widely by mainstream media, his doctors confirmed he was not yet out of danger but expected to live. While it was later reported that he was in stable condition, he suffered two respiratory attacks by Monday, March 3, said the Holy See Press Office, adding that while the Pope remained alert and cooperative at all time, "the prognosis remains guarded."

The Pope's poor health prompted false claims on social media that he was using a body double. The false claim used two photos of the Pope taken 10 years apart, a Lead Stories debunk found.

Facts:

• Pope Francis was born Jorge Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• He was ordained on December 13, 1969.
• His papacy began on March 13, 2013, following the retirement of Pope Benedict XVI.
• First non-European pope of the modern era.
• First pope to take the name of St. Francis of Assisi, who has been revered among Catholics for his work with the poor. St. Francis was viewed as a church reformer.
• First Jesuit to become pope.

Facts about Pope's Health:

According to the National Catholic Reporter, Francis relied on Vatican priests to read longer addresses during the past month.

Francis suffered two falls while getting out of his bed at his Vatican residence - once in December and once in January, the NCR reported, citing the Vatican.

He was hospitalized four times after he became Pope. His last hospitalization in February 2024 was related to respiratory issues, according to Vatican news archives. He also was hospitalized in 2023 for bronchitis and in 2021 when he had a portion of his intestine removed.

In 1957, Francis underwent a partial lobectomy after suffering a severe respiratory infection.

What Happens Next:

Pope Francis requested that the funeral rites be simplified and focus on expressing the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ, Archbishop Diego Ravelli told The Vatican News.

Francis' coffin will lie in state in Vatican City for private viewing before being moved to St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing. The mourning period is nine days, and thousands upon thousands of peopelare expected to pay their respects. A funeral Mass takes place in St. Peter's Basilica or the Square. 

Unlike previous pontiffs, Pope Francis said he wanted to be buried in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, also known as Santa Maria Maggiore -- one of the four major papal basilicas.

The Conclave:

The Conclave is expected to begin weeks after Francis' death. The Conclave takes place in the Sistine Chapel and and the cardinal electors are prohibited from communicating with the outside world. They have no access to news, and their phones and electronic devices are taken from them.

Smoke from the Sistine Chapel signals the progress of the Conclave. Black smoke after a vote signals no pope has been selected. White smoke signals a new pope. Approximately 15-30 minutes after the white smoke appears, the doors of the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica open, and the cardinal deacon briefly announces that there is a new pope. 

Previous fact checks

Previous fact checks from Lead Stories involving Pope Francis can be found here.