Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and a transformative figure in the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Monday at the age of 88, the Vatican announced. His death followed a stroke and irreversible cardiac arrest, bringing an end to a papacy marked by efforts to modernize and unify the centuries-old institution.
The news came as a surprise to many, as the pope had appeared in relatively good spirits during Easter Sunday celebrations. Just a day before his death, he greeted thousands from an open-air popemobile in St. Peter’s Square—his first extended public appearance since being discharged from the hospital in late March after a 38-day stay for double pneumonia.
According to his death certificate, issued by Vatican doctor Andrea Arcangeli, Francis had fallen into a coma prior to his passing. In addition to his recent lung infection, the pope had been managing high blood pressure and diabetes.
Preparations for public mourning are underway. A Vatican spokesperson said the pope’s coffin could be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica as early as Wednesday to allow the faithful to pay their respects. Although no funeral date has been confirmed, officials indicated the ceremony would likely be held between Friday and Sunday. Cardinals are scheduled to meet on Tuesday to finalize arrangements.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed his attendance at the funeral, which is expected to draw numerous world leaders to Rome. In tribute to the late pope, Argentina, his home country, and neighboring Brazil have declared seven days of mourning.
“The pope of the poor has left us, the pope of the marginalized,” said Jorge García Cuerva, Archbishop of Buenos Aires—a position once held by Francis.
