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The Vatican has released the testament of Pope Francis. The 88-year-old pontiff died on Easter Monday morning, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, as confirmed by the Holy See Press Office. He led the Catholic Church for just over 12 years.
The Holy See on Monday evening released the death certificate detailing the cause of death of Pope Francis, who died in his Vatican apartment at 7:35 a.m. in Rome on April 21, the day after Easter.
Pope Francis has died at 88. Follow here for the latest updates:
Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time on Easter Monday, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, as confirmed by the Holy See Press Office. The 88-year-old pontiff led the Catholic Church for a little more than 12 years.
EWTN Chairman of the Board and CEO Michael Warsaw on Monday mourned the passing of Pope Francis, calling the pontiff’s death at 88 on Monday a “moment of personal grief for Catholics around the world.”
The Vatican announced Monday that the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis has been postponed following the death of Pope Francis.
The death of Pope Francis begins the so-called “sede vacante,” a period when the See of Peter lies vacant. The time of the sede vacante after the pope’s death brings with it a series of symbols, traditions, and protocols that have existed for centuries and express the papacy’s essence.
The pope’s traditional blessing, “urbi et orbi,” was read by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, but Pope Francis later toured St. Peter's Square in the popemobile.
“We must look for him without ceasing,” the pope’s prepared text emphasized. “Because if he has risen from the dead, then he is present everywhere”
“Urbi et orbi” means “To the city [of Rome] and to the world.” It is a special apostolic blessing given by the pope every year on Easter Sunday, Christmas, and other special occasions.
“It falls to us to proclaim this Easter hope, this ‘turning point’ where darkness becomes light,” the pope wrote in the homily, delivered by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.
Unable to attend the Good Friday ceremony in person for the third consecutive year, the pope offered deep meditations for the Way of the Cross.
The Good Friday Reproaches are a series of antiphons, known also as “Popule Meus” (“My People”), coming from the opening lines of the Latin text of the recitation.
According to the Vatican, the pope met with approximately 70 inmates who regularly participate in activities and catechesis organized by prison’s chaplaincy.
On Holy Thursday, more than 1,880 priests, bishops, and cardinals renewed the promises made at their ordinations during the chrism Mass inside St. Peter’s Basilica.
The 88-year-old Holy Father greeted approximately 70 men and women representing leadership and staff from the hospital.
Using Rembrandt’s painting “Return of the Prodigal Son” as inspiration, the Holy Father said God’s love is like that of a father who goes out in search of his lost children.
It has not yet been decided who will celebrate the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday evening and the Easter Sunday Mass, Holy See spokesperson Matteo Bruni said Tuesday.
Marking another in a series of recent surprise public appearances, Pope Francis on Sunday briefly greeted thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square to celebrate Palm Sunday.
Pope Francis approved the document — published so far only in Italian — on Palm Sunday, April 13. It will take effect on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025.