Mon Apr 21 09:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Pope Francis Dies at 89

**Vatican City** – Pope Francis, the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 89. The Vatican News announced his death, stating that the pontiff had been suffering from a long-term illness. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo (Cardinal Chamberlain), confirmed the news, stating, “Wisdom is ours.” He described the Pope’s passing as a “deep sorrow,” noting that Francis dedicated his life to serving the Lord and the Church.

The Pope’s body will be laid to rest in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, rather than within the Vatican City itself, a decision confirmed by both El País and BBC sources. This marks a significant departure from traditional papal burial practices, reflecting Pope Francis’s known preference for simplicity. Following established protocol, his body will first lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing before the funeral. The traditional nine-day mourning period (novendiale) will commence for the Catholic Church, with Italy also observing a period of national mourning.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1936, was a Jesuit priest before his election in 2013. His papacy was marked by a focus on social justice, including outspoken advocacy for the poor, migrants, and LGBTQ+ individuals. He championed reform within the Vatican bureaucracy, addressing corruption and the legacy of sexual abuse within the Church. While maintaining orthodox stances on certain issues, his willingness to challenge traditional views on others earned him both widespread popularity and significant opposition.

His papacy also saw him make two visits to Hungary. The first visit in 2021 was to attend the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest. In 2023, he returned for a three-day official visit, celebrating mass in Kossuth Square and meeting with thousands of young people at the Papp László Budapest Sportaréna.

Pope Francis’s death triggers the “sede vacante” period, during which the College of Cardinals will govern the Church until a new pope is elected. The papal conclave, the process of electing a new pope, will commence following the funeral, with cardinals under the age of 80 eligible to vote. The world awaits the selection of the next leader of the Catholic Church.

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