Pope Francis Has Died

Originally published 4:14 a.m. April 21st, 2025

Updated 6:37 a.m. April 21st, 2025

(KNSI) — According to Vatican officials, Pope Francis has died.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17th, 1936, he was ordained a priest on December 13th, 1969, and was created Cardinal on February 21st, 2001, by St. John Paul II. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, then Cardinal Bergoglio was elected to the papacy on March 13th, 2013.

He selected the name Francis due to his great concern for the poor. He had previously spoken of his admiration for St. Francis of Assisi, who, like Bergoglio, shunned opulence.

Pope Francis is the first pontiff from the Americas, the Southern Hemisphere, and the first from the Jesuit order. He was also the first Pope to address a joint session of Congress in 2015, and the first born or raised outside Europe since the 8th century. He is considered ethnically European as his maternal grandparents and his father were from Italy.

The Holy Father had been hospitalized and fighting double pneumonia, but was released from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on March 23rd and was well enough to take a ride in the Popemobile Easter Sunday to the delight of the cheering crowds in St. Peter’s Square. Pope Francis did not say Easter mass, instead delegating it to the retired Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, but did appear for roughly 20 minutes to give an apostolic blessing. He also met briefly with Vice President JD Vance and his family over Holy Week.

The pontiff passed around 7:35 a.m. Vatican time in Rome, 12:35 Central Daylight Time. Pope Francis was 88.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell will assume the administrative and financial responsibilities of the Holy See, which is the governing body of the Catholic Church. Following the funeral Mass, the College of Cardinals will convene for a Conclave to select the next Pope.

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