Pope Francis has passed away: did the pontiff die during Easter?
21 april 2025 в 18:13
Pope Francis' death occurred a few weeks after he was hospitalized for bronchitis and complications related to pneumonia, but the late pontiff still returned to his duties. After delivering his annual Easter prayer in public, many assumed that Francis was on the path to a healthy recovery. However, immediately after Easter, the Vatican announced his death on April 21, 2025. So did the pope die during Easter?
Francis was pope from 2013 to 2025, which amounted to a 12-year pontificate.
Francis passed away at the age of 88.
The Vatican announced that Pope Francis had died and confirmed that it happened at 7:35 am on April 21 — not on Easter Sunday, but on Easter Monday.
Easter Monday is considered a holiday in predominantly Christian countries. In the United States, it is not observed as a federal holiday.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced Francis' death. He addressed the public, saying: «Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 am today, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the Father’s house. His entire life was dedicated to serving the Lord and His Church. He taught us to live by the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially towards the poorest and most vulnerable. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we entrust the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of God, the One and Triune».
The official cause of Pope Francis' death was not disclosed by the Vatican. However, he passed away after years of battling various health issues, most of which were related to lung and respiratory complications. In February 2025, Francis was hospitalized for bilateral pneumonia, kidney failure, and other problems.
After a month-long hospitalization, Francis returned home on March 23, 2025, and gradually resumed his duties.
On Easter Sunday, April 20, Francis met with US Vice President Jay D. Vans, who thanked the late pontiff for his warm reception. The next day, Vans tweeted in memory of the late pope, writing: «I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians around the world who loved him. I was glad to see him yesterday, although he was clearly very ill. … May God rest his soul»
Francis was pope from 2013 to 2025, which amounted to a 12-year pontificate.
Francis passed away at the age of 88.
The Vatican announced that Pope Francis had died and confirmed that it happened at 7:35 am on April 21 — not on Easter Sunday, but on Easter Monday.
Easter Monday is considered a holiday in predominantly Christian countries. In the United States, it is not observed as a federal holiday.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced Francis' death. He addressed the public, saying: «Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 am today, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the Father’s house. His entire life was dedicated to serving the Lord and His Church. He taught us to live by the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially towards the poorest and most vulnerable. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we entrust the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of God, the One and Triune».
The official cause of Pope Francis' death was not disclosed by the Vatican. However, he passed away after years of battling various health issues, most of which were related to lung and respiratory complications. In February 2025, Francis was hospitalized for bilateral pneumonia, kidney failure, and other problems.
After a month-long hospitalization, Francis returned home on March 23, 2025, and gradually resumed his duties.
On Easter Sunday, April 20, Francis met with US Vice President Jay D. Vans, who thanked the late pontiff for his warm reception. The next day, Vans tweeted in memory of the late pope, writing: «I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians around the world who loved him. I was glad to see him yesterday, although he was clearly very ill. … May God rest his soul»
© Kolganov Andrey
