Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.Vatican statement in full follows:
A short while ago, His Eminence, Cardinal Farrell, announced with sorrow the death of Pope Francis, with these words: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.
Quote Message
At 7:35 this morning (local time), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. 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 favour of the poorest and most marginalised.”
Farrell adds: “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.”
His last message to world which his aide read on his behalf on Easter Sunday message was one of peace and “respect for the views of others”.
“There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression.”
In his final address, the pontiff remembered the people of Gaza, in particular its Christian population, as the conflict “causes death and destruction” and creates a “deplorable humanitarian situation”. He also called growing global antisemitism “worrisome”.
“What a great thirst for death, for killing we see in the many conflicts raging in different parts of the world,” he said.
“I express my closeness to the sufferings… for all the Israeli people and the Palestinian people,” the message said. “Call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace.”
The Pope also encouraged all parties involved in the Ukraine war to “pursue efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace”
The right way of tribute to Pope Francis , the profound legacy is to obey his last words and message to the world, said Shajil Anthru, Chairman of K M Anthru Foundation while expressing deep sorrow to this great loss.
