Pope Francis made a public appearance on Easter Sunday, the day before he sadly died.
As announced by the Vatican, Pope Francis has passed away aged 88 following a lengthy series of health complications that culminated in recent months.
Francis became Bishop of Rome in 2013 after his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, made the historic decision to resign, becoming the first pope in more than 600 years to step down.
Francis’s reign was immediately marked by his humility, progressive tone, and tireless advocacy for the world’s poor, displaced, and marginalized.
The news of Pope Francis's death was announced by Cardinal Farrell in a statement shared by the Vatican.
He said: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.
"At 7.35am this morning, 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.
"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 day before his death, Easter Sunday, Pope Francis made his final public appearance.
He didn’t lead the mass himself, but instead delivered Easter greetings from the balcony, and then took a surprise lap in the popemobile, per the Guardian.
“Brothers and sisters, happy Easter!” Pope Francis declared from the loggia balcony above the basilica’s entrance, his voice sounding noticeably stronger than it had in weeks. The crowd erupted into cheers, chanting “Viva il Papa!” and “Bravo!” as he waved and smiled.
Moments later, he delighted the faithful even more by circling the piazza in his open-top vehicle, waving to pilgrims and pausing to bless babies brought up to him.
While Pope Francis didn’t celebrate the mass, delegating that duty to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired archpriest of St Peter’s Basilica, his appearance alone was enough to send spirits soaring on the most sacred day of the Christian calendar.
Pope Francis then retired to the Vatican to continue his prescribed two months of rest and respiratory therapy aimed at improving his lung function.
Sadly, he passed away just hours later.
Worshippers had been delighted to see the Pope on Sunday after he missed the solemn services of Good Friday and Holy Saturday. He had spent Holy Thursday on a visit to Rome's central prison to spend it with the inmates.
He also missed the open-air mass on Easter Sunday, which was led instead by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired archpriest of St Peter's Basilica.
His health struggles were not new. As a young man in Argentina, he had part of one lung removed. He also underwent colon surgery in 2021 and intestinal surgery for a hernia in 2023.
More recently, sciatica and mobility issues confined him to a wheelchair and forced him to scale back public appearances, missing even key events such as the traditional Good Friday procession.
In 2022, he hinted he might resign if his health worsened, following Benedict XVI’s precedent. Ultimately, though, Pope Francis remained in office until his death.