Dark Easter As 88 Old Pope Francis Dies on Easter Monday
..the World Mourns the Shepherd of Mercy
In a deeply symbolic moment for the Catholic world, Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. The Holy Father died peacefully at 7:35 a.m. in his residence at the Casa Santa Marta, just hours after delivering his final Easter message of hope from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Vatican confirmed his passing later that morning in a solemn statement delivered by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church. “With great sorrow, we announce the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis,” he said. “He gave his life to the Gospel of Christ, to the poor, and to the Church he so dearly loved.”
The timing of his death—on Easter Monday, the day Christians commemorate the risen Christ’s first appearances to his disciples—has not gone unnoticed. Many around the world, including religious leaders, politicians, and everyday faithful, have pointed to the powerful spiritual resonance of this moment.
“His death on Easter Monday feels like divine poetry,” said Archbishop Matteo Morelli of Milan. “The shepherd who so often spoke of resurrection, hope, and renewal has now entered into that mystery himself.”
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was the first Jesuit and the first Latin American pope in the history of the Catholic Church. Elected in March 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, he served for over a decade, earning global admiration for his humility, progressive voice, and tireless advocacy for the poor and marginalized.
Throughout his papacy, he championed climate action, interfaith dialogue, and a more inclusive Church. His teachings were often rooted in compassion and simplicity, echoed in gestures such as living in modest quarters and rejecting opulence.
Just a day before his death, Pope Francis appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to give his Easter blessing. Though visibly frail, his voice carried a message of hope and unity. Few suspected it would be his final public appearance.
Condolences have poured in from around the globe. U.S. President Maria Thompson called him “a voice of conscience for our time.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised him as “a global moral leader who walked the talk of peace, justice, and human dignity.”
The Vatican has declared a period of mourning and preparations are underway for his funeral, which will be held later this week. As per his wishes, Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, rather than beneath St. Peter’s, reflecting his lifelong preference for modesty.
The College of Cardinals will convene in the coming days to begin the sacred process of selecting his successor.
As pilgrims gather in St. Peter’s Square to mourn, the world bids farewell to a pope who embodied the very essence of Easter: renewal, compassion, and enduring hope.
