Pope Francis Dies at 88 After Battling Illness, Just One Day After Easter Appearance

This morning, the Vatican confirmed the passing of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88. The news has sent shockwaves around the world, especially among the millions of Catholics who just saw him the day before, offering Easter blessings from St. Peter’s Square.

Despite appearing visibly weak and confined to a wheelchair, the Pope delivered his final Easter message—read aloud by a Vatican archbishop. In it, he addressed some of the world’s most pressing issues, including ongoing conflicts, the rise in antisemitism, and the urgent need for peace and religious tolerance.

His death comes after several months of health challenges. He had been in and out of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and was forced to miss most of this year’s Holy Week events—the first time since he became pope in 2013. He had quietly handed off many of his responsibilities to senior cardinals and made only a few brief public appearances, including one on Holy Saturday to greet visitors.

Even in his final days, Pope Francis remained a symbol of compassion, humility, and hope. His leadership and calls for unity and peace will be remembered not just within the Catholic Church but around the world—as the legacy of a spiritual leader who never stopped working for a better, more compassionate world.