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On April 21, 2025, Pope Francis was pronounced dead at the age of 88, weeks after spending 38 days hospitalized due to an infection that led to double pneumonia. The Pope's final public appearance was on Easter Sunday, April 20, where he welcomed the crowd from the loggia balcony of the Vatican's St. Peter's Basilica. He then rode his popemobile around St. Peter's Square, pausing to bless babies.
On April 21, Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced Pope Francis' death on the Vatican's TV channel, saying:
"Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness 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."
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Pope Francis' respiratory issues stemmed from having a portion of a lung removed when he was 21. On February 14, he was admitted to Gemelli Hospital for a respiratory infection. He was subsequently diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia following his hospitalization.
He was reportedly in "critical condition," showing "initial, mild" signs of kidney failure. However, he was discharged on March 23 after making what appeared to be a recovery.
Exploring Pope Francis' last public appearance on Easter Sunday
It is customary for the current Pope to lead all events throughout the Holy Week of Easter. However, due to poor health, Pope Francis missed most of the scheduled events, including Good Friday and Saturday's Easter vigil at St Peter's Basilica, delegating the responsibilities to his cardinals. Still, he made a brief appearance during the Easter vigil on Saturday, distributing sweets to the children inside the basilica.
His final public appearance took place on Easter Sunday, where he greeted the gathered crowd from his wheelchair on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, saying:
“Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!”
Pope Francis did not lead the Easter Mass. Instead, Cardinal Angelo Comastri presided over the ceremony. Following this Mass, the Pope conveyed the apostolic blessing in Latin to an estimated 35,000 people gathered in the piazza.
He then had Archbishop Diego Ravelli read his papal speech, where he addressed the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war, imploring all sides to "pursue efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace."
"There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others. What a great thirst for death, for killing we see in the many conflicts raging in different parts of the world."
His speech highlighted that the conflict "causes death and destruction" and created a "deplorable humanitarian situation," adding:
"I express my closeness to the sufferings... for all the Israeli people and the Palestinian people. Call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace."
His speech also addressed the contempt faced by "the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants," stating:
“How much contempt is stirred up at times toward the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants! On this day, I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas! For all of us are children of God!”
Following his address, he surprised the crowd by riding on his popemobile around St. Peter's Square, pausing to bless babies. According to AP News, Pope Francis spent an estimated 50 minutes outside on Easter Sunday.
Additionally, Pope Francis briefly met US Vice President JD Vance on Easter Sunday. Vance, who was in Rome to celebrate Easter with his family, thanked the Pope for meeting with him despite his ailing health during their brief encounter.
Pope Francis began his papacy in March 2013, after the former Pope, Benedict XVI, resigned. Hailing from Argentina, he became the first Latin American head of the Roman Catholic Church.
