Pope Francis death news | Eiffel Tower to go dark for late pontiff; tributes pour in
Pope Francis death: The late pontiff died at the age of 88 after going through a severe bout of penumonia. In his last Easter address on Sunday, he called for freedom of thought and tolerance.
Pope Francis death: Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican announced on Monday. He was 88. "Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis," Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced on the Vatican's TV channel. "At 7:35 this morning the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father."...Read More
In February, Pope Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalisation of his 12-year papacy. The reason for Pope Francis' death has not yet been revealed.
On Sunday, Pope Francis called for freedom of thought and tolerance in his Easter Sunday address.
"Happy Easter," said the 88-year-old Argentine pope in a weak voice from his wheelchair on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, to the great joy of the crowd in the flower-filled square below. He also briefly met US Vice President JD Vance, a meeting Vatican described as “cordial”.
Tributes after Pope Francis' death
- Narendra Modi's reaction - After Pope Francis' death, several world leaders paid tribute to him. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply pained” by the death of the leader of the Catholic Church.
- Palestine mourns Pope Francis - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas paid tribute to Pope Francis, calling him a “faithful friend of the Palestinian people.”
- JD Vance pays tribute - United States Vice President JD Vance, who met Pope Francis on Sunday during his Italy visit, expressed grief over his passing. In a post on X, Vance said, "I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.
- Eiffel Tower to go dark - In Paris, The bells of the Notre Dame cathedral tolled 88 times in memory of Pope Francis' death. City authorities will also turn off the lights on the Eiffel Tower on Monday night in memory of the Pope.
Pope Francis death: Senior Vatican cardinal to lead prayer service for late Pope in St Peter's Square
Pope Francis death: A senior Vatican cardinal will lead a prayer service in St Peter's Square on Monday evening at 7:30 p.m. (1730 GMT) after the death of Pope Francis, said a Vatican spokesman, as quoted by Reuters.
Pope Francis death: UN Secretary-General mourns late Pope
Pope Francis death: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres paid tribute to Pope Francis, who died on Monday at the age of 88.
"I join the world in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a messenger of hope, humility and humanity," he said in a statement.
Pope Francis death: When will Pope Francis' funeral take place?
Pope Francis death: As per tradition, the Pope's burial must take place between the fourth and sixth day after his death. After the funeral, there are nine days of official mourning, known as the “novendiali.”
The dates for Pope Francis' funeral are yet to be announced.
Pope Francis death: Brazil's President announces seven day mourning period
Pope Francis death: Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday declared a seven-day mourning for Pope Francis after his death.
"Humanity loses today a voice of respect and welcome for others," Lula said in a statement.
“May God comfort those who today, everywhere in the world, suffer the pain of this enormous loss. In his memory and in homage to his work, I decree a seven-day mourning in Brazil,” he added.
Pope Francis death: Argentina to have seven days of mourning after Pope Francis' death
Pope Francis death: Argentina's President Javier Milei will decree seven days of national mourning after the death of Pope Francis, his spokesman said Monday.
Pope Francis death: Dalai Lama praises Pope Francis
Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama praised Pope Francis on Monday, and offered condolences after the pontiff's death.
"Pope Francis dedicated himself to the service of others... consistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful life," the Buddhist leader said.
“The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warm-hearted person, serving others wherever and in whatever way we can,” he added.
Pope Francis death: Donald Trump pays respects to late pontiff
Pope Francis death: US President Donald Trump paid his respects to late Pope Francis on Monday in a short post on his Truth Social platform.
"Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!" Trump said.
Pope Francis death: King Charles expresses condolences for death of Pope Francis
Pope Francis death: King Charles on Monday mourned the death of the 88-year-old Pope Francis.
“My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis. Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry," he said in a statement.
“His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others,” he added.
Pope Francis death: Nigeria's President mourns late Pope
Pope Francis death: Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu on Monday mourned the passing of Pope Francis and called him a "tireless champion of the poor" and the world's "most trenchant voice" against climate change.
"Today, with a heavy heart, I join the Catholic faithful and Christians worldwide in mourning the passing of Pope Francis," Tinubu said in a statement.
“Alas, the Lord called him home, making the world lose its most trenchant voice for justice and action against climate change,” he added.
Pope Francis death: Vatican postpones first millennial sainthood after pontiff's death
Pope Francis death: The Vatican has canceled the scheduled canonisation of the Catholic Church's first millennial saint after the death of Pope Francis.
Carlo Acutis, who died of leukaemia in 2006 aged 15, was meant to have his sainthood rubber-stamped in a mass at the Holy See on April 27.
Pope Francis death: Kenya's President pays respects to Pope
Pope Francis death: Kenya's President William Ruto grieved Pope Francis' death and said it was "a big loss to the Catholic faithful and the Christian world".
"He exemplified servant leadership through his humility, his unwavering commitment to inclusivity and justice, and his deep compassion for the poor and the vulnerable," Ruto wrote on X.
Pope Francis death: Bangladesh's interim government pays respects to late pontiff
Pope Francis death: Bangladesh's interim government paid its respects to Pope Francis on Monday.
Muhammad Yunus shared a "profound connection" with Francis, his office said in a statement.
"Pope Francis was a towering figure of moral clarity, humility, and compassion in our time. His lifelong dedication to justice, peace, and the dignity of every human being resonated far beyond the Catholic world," it said.
Pope Francis death: Zelensky mourns death of Pope Francis
Pope Francis death: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday mourned the death of Pope Francis, saying the Catholic leader had "prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians."
"We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians," Zelensky wrote on social media.
Pope Francis death: Spain declares three days of mourning for Pope Francis
Pope Francis death: Spain has declared three days of mourning for late Pope Francis, after he passed away at age 88 on Monday.
Pope Francis death: ‘Thanks for everything’ says Hungarian PM
Pope Francis death: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday said "Thank you for everything, Holy Father. We bid you farewell", in a short Facebook post following Pope Francis's death.
Pope Francis death: Putin hails Pope as ‘defender of humanism and justice’
Pope Francis death: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday hailed the late Pope Francis as a "defender" of "humanism and justice".
In a letter to the Vatican he also praised Pope Francis, saying that he "actively promoted dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches."
Pope Francis death: Who are the leading candidates to take over the papacy?
Pope Francis death: Pope Francis died at age 88 on Monday, leaving the position for the leader of the Roman Catholic Church vacant.
Here are some frontrunners for the papacy:
Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy, 70, Francis’ secretary of state and a veteran Vatican diplomat.
— Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Canada, 80, head of the Vatican’s bishops office from 2010 to 2023.
— Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn of Austria, 80, a student of Pope Benedict XVI
— Cardinal Luis Tagle of the Philippines, 67, brought by Francis to head the Vatican’s massive missionary office.
— Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Italy, 69, a Francis protégé who headed the Italian bishops conference.
Pope Francis death: Sri Lankan President praises Pope Francis' legacy
Pope Francis death: Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake On Monday, paid tribute to Pope Francis' legacy of "compassion, justice and interfaith harmony".
Dissanayake said that the late Pope's "unwavering commitment to peace, compassion and humanity has left an indelible mark on the world".
Pope Francis death: Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas pays tribute to ‘faithful friend’
Pope Francis death: Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas paid tribute to Pope Francis, calling him a "faithful friend of the Palestinian people," the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.
"Today, we lost a faithful friend of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights," Abbas said.
He noted that Pope Francis "recognised the Palestinian state and authorised the Palestinian flag to be raised in the Vatican."
Pope Francis death: The bells of Notre Dame tolled 88 times in tribute to Pope Francis
Pope Francis death: The bells of Paris' Notre Dame cathedral tolled 88 times in memory of Pope Francis, who died on Monday at the age of 88.
A mass will also be held in the church for Pope Francis later in the day.
City authorities will also turn off the lights on the Eiffel Tower on Monday night in memory of the Pope.
Pope Francis death: Argentina's President issues statement on Pope's death
Pope Francis death: Argentina's presidency in a statement on Monday said that it deeply regretted the death of Pope Francis, the first Argentine leader of the global Catholic Church.
Pope Francis death: Women's Ordination Conference expresses condolences, calls for change in policy
Pope Francis death: The Women's Ordination Conference expressed their condolences after the death of Pope Francis but also stated that it was time to change policies surrounding ordaining women.
“While we will continue to experience the gifts of Pope Francis' openness to reform, we lament that this did not extend to an openness to the possibility of women in ordained ministry,” the conference said.
“His repeated closed door' policy on women's ordination was painfully incongruous with his otherwise pastoral nature, and for many, a betrayal of the synodal, listening church he championed. This made him a complicated, frustrating, and sometimes heart-breaking figure for many women,” it said.
Pope Francis death: Archbishop of York hails Francis' service of the poor
Pope Francis death: The Church of England's most senior cleric hailed Pope Francis' "desire to lead and build the church in new ways" as well as his service of the poor, following the pontiffs death on Monday.
The Archbishop of York said, Pope Francis was "acutely aware of the divisions between our churches and how they stand in the way of seeing Jesus Christ more fully".
Pope Francis death: White House mourns late pontiff
Pope Francis death: The White House on Monday expressed its condolences after the death of Pope Francis.
"Rest in Peace, Pope Francis," they wrote on X, accompanied by photos of the pontiff meeting President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Pope Francis death: Looking back at the Pope's progressive stance on LGBTQ issues
Pope Francis Death: The late Pope had embraced several communities under his papacy, which had previously been shunned by the church. In July 2013, he said, "If someone is gay and is searching for the Lord and has good will, then who am I to judge him?"
In 2018 he also told a gay man, “God made you like this and he loves you.” He also stated in an interview in 2023, “Being a homosexual is not a crime.”
Pope Francis death: Egyptian President mourns ‘profound loss’
Pope Francis death: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi expressed his condolences after the Vatican announced the death of Pope Francis on Monday.
He said the Pope's death “is a profound loss for the entire world, as as he was a voice of peace, love and compassion."
He added, that the Pope was an exceptional figure who “worked tirelessly to promote tolerance and build bridges of dialogue and was a champion of the Palestinian cause, defending legitimate rights and calling for an end to conflict.”
Pope Francis death: Mass for Pope Francis to be held on Wednesday at Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Pope Francis death: A mass for the late Pope Francis will be held on Wednesday morning at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said.
In a WhatsApp message, the Patriarchate announced a "mass at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre" on Wednesday at 1230 GMT presided over by His Beatitude Cardinal Pizzaballa and members of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries, reported news agency AFP
Pope Francis death: What happens after a pope dies? How does the Catholic Church choose a successor?
Pope Francis, the Argentinian pontiff who led the Roman Catholic Church for nearly 12 years, died on Monday aged 88. Last month, the pope was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 after a weeklong bout of bronchitis worsened. He spent 38 days in the hospital, the longest hospitalisation of his 12-year papacy.
The Catholic Church will now begin the process of electing a new leader. The election of a pope follows a centuries-old tradition and is guided by strict rules and holds deep religious significance.
The College of Cardinals, the Church's most senior officials worldwide, chooses the pope. Following a pope’s death or resignation, the cardinals are summoned to the Vatican for the papal election or conclave. Click here to read how a new Pope is elected.
Pope Francis death: PM Modi says he is ‘deeply pained’ by Pope Francis' death
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed condolenses to the Catholic community after the death of Pope Francis. He shared the pictures of his meeting with the Pope in a post on X and wrote, "Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world. From a young age, he devoted himself towards realising the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope.
I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God’s embrace."
Pope Francis death: JD Vance mourns Pope Francis' death - ‘was happy to see him yesterday’
United States Vice President JD Vance, who met Pope Francis on Sunday during his Italy visit, has expressed grief over his passing. In a post on X, Vance said, "I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.
I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful.
May God rest his soul."
Pope Francis death: Germany's Friedrich Merz grieves Pope Francis' death
Germany's chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz grieved the death of Pope Francis. In a post on X, he said, “The death of Pope Francis fills me with great sorrow. Francis will be remembered for his tireless commitment to the weakest in society, for justice and reconciliation. Humility and faith in God’s mercy guided him in this. With this, the first Latin American on the Holy See touched people worldwide and across denominational boundaries. My thoughts are in these hours with the faithful worldwide who have lost their Holy Father. May he rest in peace.”
Pope Francis death: Pope Francis blessed people on Easter Sunday, a day before he died
A day before his death, Pope Francis blessed thousands of people in St. Peter's Square on the occasion of Easter Sunday. He also took a surprise popemobile romp through the piazza.
“Viva il Papa!” (Long live the pope), “Bravo!” the crowd shouted as Francis looped through the square in his open-topped popemobile and then up and down the main avenue leading to it. (AP)
Pope Francis death: Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope in 2013
Pope Francis, whose original name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected pope on March 13, 2013, surprising many church watchers who had seen the Argentine cleric, known for his concern for the poor, as an outsider. (Reuters)
Pope Francis death: Latin American pontiff dies at 88; tributes pour in
Pope Francis death: Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican announced on Monday. He was 88.
