Pope Francis Dies at 88
Pope Francis. X/ @JPFPhotography
April 21, 2025 Hour: 7:20 am
His death came after months of a difficult recovery from his respiratory problems.
Pope Francis passed away this Monday at 7:35 a.m. at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta, after more than two months of respiratory problems that kept him hospitalized for 38 days in the Italian capital.
RELATED:
Pope Francis Approves the Canonization of Venezuelan Nun
The rite for the official confirmation of Pope Francis’s death will take place this Monday starting at 8:00 p.m. local time at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta, where he will lie in repose in the chapel.
The Vatican’s master of ceremonies, Diego Ravelli, announced that the coffin will lie in repose in the chapel of his residence, in accordance with the pontiff’s wishes, as prior to Francis this was traditionally done in the chapel of the Apostolic Palace.
Last year, the pontiff simplified funeral rites in the document Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, and among other things, stipulated that he be laid in repose in the chapel of his residence rather than in the Apostolic Palace. He also requested that his body be displayed to the faithful in an open casket, rather than placed on a catafalque in the basilica.
With his death, at the age of 88 and after a difficult recovery from his respiratory issues, the protocol governing his funeral will begin, followed — within no more than 20 days — by the convocation of a conclave to elect a successor.
This morning, the bells of St. Peter’s tolled for the dead, and the next step will be the rite confirming his death, which will be led by the U.S. Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell this evening.
Everything will take place in his apartment at the Vatican residence Casa Santa Marta, as since his election in 2013, he chose not to live in the Apostolic Palace. Afterwards, his body will be placed in the casket to lie in repose in the chapel of his residence.
The master of ceremonies has today called on all cardinals, the pontiff’s family members, and other Vatican authorities to participate in the rite.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE
