Pope Francis died Monday at age 88. History鈥檚 first Latin American pontiff charmed the world with his humble style and but alienated many conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change.
Francis suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man. He was admitted to a hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.
He last appeared in public on Sunday with an Easter morning blessing and popemobile tour through a crowd of cheering thousands in St. Peter鈥檚 Square.
Here's the latest:
鈥業 think he was a rebel鈥�
In Francis鈥� hometown of Buenos Aires, Argentines gathered for Mass. Some cried. 鈥淚 think he was a rebel. He may have been contradictory, but that was nice, too,鈥� said worshiper Catalina Favaro.
Bishop Jorge Garc铆a Cuerva told those gathered that 鈥渢he pope of everyone has died. The pope of all humanity who insisted one and a thousand times that there must be room for everyone.鈥�
The pope鈥檚 beloved soccer team 鈥� Buenos Aires club San Lorenzo, who nickname is 鈥淭he Saints鈥� 鈥� wrote 鈥淕oodbye, Holy Father鈥� on its website. The team won the national championship in 2013, the year Francis was elected pope.
鈥楬is name in golden letters鈥�
Algeria鈥檚 President Abdelmadjid Tebboune called Francis an 鈥渋mmense personality鈥� and said he 鈥渨rote his name in golden letters in modern history.鈥� Though Christians have been increasingly targeted for proselytizing in Muslim-majority Algeria, the Catholic Church enjoys official recognition.
Biden and the Obamas remember
Former U.S. President Joe Biden says Francis was 鈥渦nlike any who came before him. Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time, and I am better for having known him.鈥� Biden, who is Catholic, called the pope a 鈥渃hallenging teacher鈥� and 鈥渁bove all, he was a pope for everyone.鈥�
Biden had planned to visit Francis one more time before leaving office, but the trip was canceled because of wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
鈥淧ope Francis was the rare leader who made us want to be better people,鈥� former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, said. 鈥淗e shook us out of our complacency and reminded us that we are all bound by moral obligations to God and one another.鈥�
Mixed emotions in Ukraine
In Ukraine, there was a mix of sorrow and hope. 鈥淔rom a human point of view, it鈥檚 sad, of course,鈥� said Valentina Sofilkanych in Lviv. 鈥淏ut as a Ukrainian, I hope the next Pope will be more pro-Ukrainian, we will feel more support from the church.鈥� Francis tried to maintain the Vatican鈥檚 traditional diplomatic neutrality during the war there.
Some saw meaning in the small details
鈥淗e was a pope who was humble. When he visited Kenya, he rode in a very simple car,鈥� said Ted Mutuku, a Catholic in the capital, Nairobi.
Voices from the Middle East
The leader of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, said Francis was always deeply interested in the region, and Gaza was 鈥渁 symbol of Francis鈥� pontificate,鈥� with the pope 鈥渁lways close to the poor, against the war.鈥�
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem will hold a requiem mass on Wednesday with leaders of other major Christian sects.
In the occupied West Bank, Bethlehem Mayor Anton Salman said Francis worked to 鈥渞estore the value and meaning of humanity.鈥�
鈥楾he world鈥檚 conscience'
The pope was 鈥渋n many respects the world鈥檚 conscience, never hesitating to challenge the powerful on behalf of the vulnerable,鈥� said Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is Catholic. He noted the pope鈥檚 visit in 2022, when he apologized for the church鈥檚 cooperation with Canada鈥檚 policy of Indigenous residential schools, saying the forced assimilation destroyed their cultures.
鈥楲ove where there was hatred鈥�
Brazil鈥檚 President Luiz In谩cio Lula da Silva said the pope 鈥渢irelessly sought to bring love where there was hatred. Unity where there was discord. And the understanding that we are all equal, living in the same house, our planet, which urgently needs our care.鈥� Francis visited in 2013.
The soccer-loving pope
Gianni Infantino, president of soccer鈥檚 world governing body FIFA, noted the pope鈥檚 love for soccer and said that 鈥渁ll the prayers of the whole football world are with him.鈥�
A final appearance, a final goodbye
Italian President Sergio Mattarella said Pope Francis鈥� final public act 鈥� an Easter morning blessing and popemobile tour through a crowd of thousands in St. Peter鈥檚 Square 鈥� in retrospect seems like his final goodbye to the church.
Criticism over sexual abuse issue
Critics of the Catholic Church鈥檚 handing of clergy sex abuse say the pope did far from enough.
鈥淲here Francis had supreme power, he refused to make the necessary changes,鈥� said Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of the U.S.-based group BishopAccountability.
David Clohessy, former national director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, noted the pope鈥檚 鈥減rompt and impressive action鈥� on other matters but said the pope鈥檚 鈥済enial personality and warm demeanor distracted many from the unhealthy and still essentially unaddressed structural and cultural flaws in the church that cause kids to keep being hurt.鈥�
As Catholic Church grows in Africa, many mourn
Many across Africa have said they felt connected with the pope, who often spoke about issues at the heart of the region, from climate change to marginalization.
The pope was 鈥渧ery unambiguous in telling world powers to stop exploiting Africans,鈥� said the Rev. Michael Nsikak Umoh, spokesperson for the Nigerian bishops鈥� association.
In Congo, where pope visited in 2023 to demand that foreign powers stop plundering Africa鈥檚 natural resources, Abb茅 Camille Esika in the capital, Kinshasa, said Francis 鈥渨anted to be the voice of the voiceless.鈥�
The pope visited Africa five times, acknowledging the strong growth of the Catholic Church there. The South African Catholic Bishops鈥� Conference has encouraged all Catholics to pray for those choosing his successor.
U.N. chief praises the pope's example of 鈥榤utual understanding鈥�
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a statement recalls that Pope Francis once said: 鈥淭he future of humankind isn鈥檛 exclusively in the hands of politicians, of great leaders, of big companies 鈥� (it) is, most of all, in the hands of those people who recognize the other as a 鈥榶ou鈥� and themselves as part of an 鈥榰s.鈥欌��
Guterres adds that 鈥淥ur divided and discordant world will be a much better place if we follow his example of unity and mutual understanding in our own actions.鈥�
Public likely can start paying final respects on Wednesday
The Vatican says the general public likely can begin paying final respects to Pope Francis starting Wednesday in St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica. The date will be confirmed when cardinals gather for the first time after Francis鈥� death Tuesday morning.
Francis鈥� coffin will be moved from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where he lived to St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica for public viewing. In a change ordered by Francis, the pope鈥檚 body will no longer placed on an elevated bier in the basilica. Rather, the wooden coffin will be placed facing the pews.
No date for the funeral has been announced. It must be held between four and six days after the death.
Vance's team was 鈥榚xcited鈥� over meeting with the pope
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says Vance鈥檚 team expressed 鈥渉ow excited and grateful they were for the opportunity to have met with the pope just yesterday.鈥� In an appearance on Fox News, she added that "it鈥檚 a solemn day for Catholics around the world, and we are praying for all those who loved the pope and believed in him.鈥�
Trump offers condolences
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: 鈥淩est in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!鈥�
Dalai Lama says Francis lived a simple but meaningful life
The Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama offered prayers, saying Francis dedicated himself to the service of others, 鈥渃onsistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful life. The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warmhearted person, serving others wherever and in whatever way we can.鈥�
Orthodox Christian leader says Francis wished for a greater unity of churches
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, the leader of the Orthodox Christians, said Francis鈥� wish was for a greater unity with the Orthodox, calling him "a genuine friend of Orthodox Christianity.鈥�
He mentioned their meeting in 2014, in which Bartholomew told Francis of the upcoming 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council and invited him, saying Francis 鈥渁ppeared enthusiastic.鈥� But 鈥渋t was not to be,鈥� Bartholomew said, adding that he would welcome Francis鈥� successor.
Turkish leader says Francis was dedicated to interfaith dialogue
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Francis was dedicated to building interfaith dialogue and addressing 鈥渉uman tragedies鈥� such as the Palestinian issue and the war in Gaza.
鈥淎 respected statesman, Pope Francis was also a spiritual leader who valued dialogue between different faith groups and took the initiative in the face of human tragedies, especially the Palestinian issue and the genocide in Gaza,鈥� Erdogan wrote on social media. Israel has denied allegations of genocide in Gaza. Francis said such allegations should be investigated while also calling for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
Iran鈥檚 president commends Francis鈥� position on the war in Gaza
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian offered condolences and praised Francis' humanitarian stance including support for 鈥渋nnocent Palestinian women and children鈥� in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
Irish leader says Francis recognized every human鈥檚 essential dignity
Irish President Michael Higgins says Francis鈥� recognition of the 鈥渆ssential dignity鈥� of every human being helped him confront issues such as climate change and the plight of migrants, as well as the child sexual abuse scandal that has rocked the church.
During his last visit in 2018, Francis spoke about the scandal that has undermined support for the church in the once overwhelmingly Catholic country.
鈥淥n such matters, and on others such as attitudes towards women and those of the LGBTQ+ community within the Church, Pope Francis sought to play a positive role,鈥� Higgins said. 鈥淚 recall at the end of our meetings he would say as to his work on such issues, 鈥榠t is very difficult鈥�, as he asked for and offered prayers.鈥�
Head of World Jewish Congress calls Francis a true moral leader
The president of the World Jewish Congress, Ronald S. Lauder, described Francis as 鈥渁 true moral leader, a man of deep faith and humanity, and a steadfast friend to the Jewish people.鈥�
Lauder noted that in 2022, the congress' executive committee had a private audience with the pope "where we launched the historic 鈥楰ishreinu鈥� (Our Bond) initiative, marking a new chapter in Catholic-Jewish relations and reinforcing the common future of our two peoples.鈥�
Albania鈥檚 leader calls Francis the country鈥檚 great friend
Albania鈥檚 Prime Minister Edi Rama called Francis the country鈥檚 鈥済reat and unforgettable friend.鈥� For his first European journey in 2014, Francis chose predominantly Muslim Albania 鈥� a visit that has become a symbol of interfaith dialogue.
Churches in the Philippines ring bells to mourn Francis
Churches in the Philippines, the largest Roman Catholic nation in Asia, rang their bells to mourn Francis. He visited in 2015 to console survivors of Typhoon Haiyan and celebrate Mass before millions in Manila.
鈥淧ope Francis showed us what it means to suffer with others and find hope in the midst of pain,鈥� Manila Archbishop Jose Advincula said. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said "his humility brought many back to the fold of the church.鈥�
Mother of a slain Israeli-American hostage praises Francis
The mother of praised Francis鈥� advocacy for Hamas-held captives in Gaza.
Rachel Goldberg-Polin was among families who met with the pope in 2023. She said he 鈥渇elt our sorrow and suffering, and we so appreciated his advocacy on this topic, and on trying to find peace and reconciliation.鈥� Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five others were killed by their captors last year as Israeli troops closed in.
First formal Vatican service for Francis set for Monday evening
The first formal liturgical ritual for Francis will occur at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) on Monday with the confirmation of the pope鈥檚 death and the placement of the body in the coffin.
Those invited to attend the ceremony, in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where Francis lived, are the dean of the College of Cardinals, any relatives of the pope, the director and vice director of the Vatican鈥檚 health department.
The presiding prelate is Cardinal Joseph Farrell, the camerlengo who has taken over the administration of the Holy See and will remain in charge until a new pope is elected.
According to the new rites and rituals Francis approved last year, the body will remain in the chapel for a few days before being brought for public viewing in St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica.
Canonization of the first millennial saint postponed
The canonization of the first millennial saint, , has been postponed, the Vatican announced. It had been planned for Sunday. Acutis, an Italian teen, died of acute leukemia at age 15 in 2006.
Egypt鈥檚 Muslim cleric mourns 鈥榟is brother鈥� Francis
Egypt鈥檚 top Muslim cleric mourned the death of 鈥渉is brother鈥� Pope Francis and recalled that the relationship between the Islamic world and the Vatican was developed under the pontiff鈥檚 watch. 鈥淧ope Francis was a humanitarian icon of the highest caliber,鈥� Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, Al-Azhar鈥檚 Grand Imam, said in a statement.
Flags lowered in Italy
Flags flew at half-staff in overwhelmingly Roman Catholic Italy. The faithful gathered in St. Peter鈥檚 Square, where bells tolled.
Eva Bonnano, from Philadelphia, called it 鈥渁 very sad day. It is honestly impressive, I think, that he made it to Easter, I think that is almost like a miracle for Italy.鈥�
Johann Xavier said he had traveled from Australia, hoping to see the pope. 鈥淏ut then we heard about it when we came in here. It pretty much devastated all of us."
Putin says Francis defended humanism and justice
In a letter of condolences, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted the pope鈥檚 international clout as a 鈥渃onsistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice.鈥� Putin said the pope also 鈥渁ctively encouraged the development of a dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Churches, as well as constructive interaction between Russia and the Holy See.鈥�
Zelenskyy says Francis was praying for peace in Ukraine
Ukraine鈥檚 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country grieves with Catholics and all Christians who looked to Francis for spiritual support. 鈥淗e prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians. Eternal memory!鈥� Zelenskyy wrote on social media.
Head of US bishops says Francis will be remembered for outreach
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said Francis will long be remembered for his outreach to those on the margins of the church and society: 鈥淗e renewed for us the mission to bring the Gospel out to the ends of the earth and offer divine mercy to all."
British prime minister describes Francis as courageous
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described Francis as a courageous leader who reached out to people of all beliefs during a 鈥渃omplex and challenging time."
鈥淗e was close to the realities of human fragility, meeting Christians around the world facing war, famine, persecution and poverty. Yet he never lost hope of a better world," Starmer said.
Bells of St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica toll for pope鈥檚 death
Shortly after noon Rome time, the bells of St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica began tolling to mark Francis鈥� death. Tourists in the square stopped to record the moment.
LGBTQ+ group thanks Francis for his advocacy
Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry 鈥� a U.S.-based group advocating for greater LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church 鈥� thanked Francis for his outreach.
鈥淲ith simple words and gentle gestures, Pope Francis powerfully moved the Catholic Church to become a more welcoming home for LGBTQ+ people,鈥� he said, noting that 鈥淔rancis was not only the first pope to use the word 鈥榞ay鈥� when speaking about LGBTQ+ people, he was the first pope to speak lovingly and tenderly to them."
King Charles praises Francis for working to protect the environment
King Charles III praised the pope for his work on safeguarding the planet: 鈥淭hrough his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many."
The pope met privately with Charles and Queen Camilla on April 10 at the Vatican. It was the pope鈥檚 first known meeting with a foreign dignitary after he was hospitalized for five weeks with double pneumonia.
Vatican prepares first rituals for pope鈥檚 death
The body of the pope is expected to be transferred within the day to the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where he lived, so that Vatican officials can pay final respects.
There, the head of the Vatican health service examines the body, ascertains the cause of death and writes a report which is expected late Monday.
The body rests in the pope鈥檚 personal chapel for the ritual pronouncement of death, presided over by the camerlengo, the Vatican official who runs the Holy See administration until the election of another pope.
For the public, the cardinal archpriest of St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, is expected to lead a recitation of the Rosary prayer in St. Peter鈥檚 Square later Monday.
Bishop in Southern Arabia remembers pope鈥檚 visit
Bishop Paolo Martinelli, the apostolic vicar of Southern Arabia, recalled the pope's visit to Abu Dhabi in 2019. The vicariate oversees the Catholic Church in the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, called Francis 鈥渁 great leader whose compassion and commitment to peace touched countless lives" and noted his 鈥渓egacy of humility and interfaith unity.鈥�
Argentina鈥檚 president eulogizes Buenos Aires-born Francis
From Buenos Aires, Francis鈥� hometown, the office of Argentine President Javier Milei expressed condolences to the faithful in the predominately Catholic South American country. Milei, who had chilly relations with the pope, expressed sorrow, noting 鈥渄ifferences that seem minor today.鈥�
Milei highlighted the 鈥渢ireless struggle of Francis鈥� papacy to protect life from conception, promote inter-religious dialogue and bring a spiritual and virtuous life closer to young people,鈥� his office said, describing Argentina as 鈥渢he land of Pope Francis.鈥�
Pakistan calls Francis鈥� death a loss for the world
Largely Muslim Pakistan鈥檚 Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the passing of Francis is an irreparable loss to the global community. Sharif praised Francis as a 鈥減ioneer of interfaith harmony" and that 鈥淧ope Francis鈥檚 life and conduct have been a beacon of light 鈥� not only for Christians but for people of all faiths.鈥�
The chief rabbi of Rome says Francis opened dialogue
The chief rabbi of Rome, Riccardo di Segni, said Francis鈥� pontificate was an important new chapter in relations between Judaism and Catholicism, 鈥渨ith openings to a dialogue that was sometimes difficult but always respectful.鈥�
JD Vance says 鈥榤y heart goes out to millions of Christians鈥�
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who met on Easter Sunday, said his 鈥渉eart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him鈥�
鈥淚 was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I鈥檒l always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful,鈥� Vance wrote on social media. 鈥淢ay God rest his soul.鈥�
The head of Church of England says Francis improved relations
The acting head of the Church of England remembered Pope Francis鈥� wit, compassion and commitment to improving relations among the world鈥檚 religions.
鈥淚 remember, in the brief times I spent with him, how this holy man of God was also very human,鈥� the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said in a statement. 鈥淗e was witty, lively, good to be with, and the warmth of his personality and interest in others shone out from him.鈥�
Criticism from the Women鈥檚 Ordination Conference
The Women鈥檚 Ordination Conference had been frustrated by Francis鈥� unwillingness to push for the ordination of women, calling it 鈥減ainfully incongruous with his otherwise pastoral nature.鈥�
It added that 鈥渢his made him a complicated, frustrating, and sometimes heart-breaking figure for many women.鈥� It had long prayed that Francis would be transformed by the testimonies of women sharing their sincere calls from God to ordained ministry, but "when it came to the topic of women in ministry, he seemed stuck in bad theology and outdated tropes.鈥�
India mourns Francis as a beacon of compassion
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose country has nearly 30 million Christians making up 2.3% of the population, said Pope Francis will always be remembered 鈥渁s a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage."
Modi said he was greatly inspired by the pope's commitment to inclusive development," adding: 鈥淔or those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope.鈥�
Meloni says 鈥榳e say goodbye to a great shepherd鈥�
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni said the news 鈥渄eeply saddens us, as we are saying goodbye to a great man and a great shepherd. I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his counsel and his teachings, which never failed me, not even in times of trial and suffering.鈥欌��
Macron says Francis gave hope to the poor
French President Emmanuel Macron, whose country is largely Catholic, shared his condolences on social media: 鈥淔rom Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest. For it to unite humans among themselves, and with nature. May this hope forever outlast him.鈥�
Dutch prime minister says the pope was a man of the people
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said the pope 鈥渨as in every way a man of the people," adding that he "recognized the burning issues of our day and called attention to them. With his sober way of life, acts of service and compassion, Pope Francis was a role model for many 鈥� Catholics and non-Catholics alike."
Israel鈥檚 president offers condolences to Christians
Israel鈥檚 mostly ceremonial president offered condolences to Christians, calling Pope Francis a man of 鈥渄eep faith and boundless compassion.鈥� Isaac Herzog said the pope fostered strong ties with Jews and advanced interfaith dialogue.
Francis repeatedly criticized Israel鈥檚 wartime conduct and said , which Israel has adamantly denied, should be investigated.
鈥淚 truly hope that his prayers for peace in the Middle East and for the safe return of the hostages will soon be answered,鈥� Herzog wrote on social media.
Top EU leader says Francis was an inspiration for the world
Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, remembered Francis as an inspiration for the entire world, not just Christians: 鈥淗e inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate.鈥�
Francis made last public appearance on Easter Sunday
Francis made his last public appearance on Easter Sunday, when he emerged to bless thousands of people in St. Peter鈥檚 Square and treat them to a surprise popemobile romp through the piazza, drawing wild cheers and applause. Before that, he met briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
He performed the blessing from the same loggia where he was introduced to the world on March 13, 2013, as the 266th pope.
Pope died at 7:35 a.m. Monday
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced that Francis died at 7:35 a.m. Monday (05:35 GMT).
鈥淭he Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,鈥� Farrell said.
鈥淗e taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized.
鈥淲ith immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Tribune.鈥�
___
Corrects the spelling of Farrell.
The Associated Press
