Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, has passed away at the age of 88, just weeks after being discharged from the hospital where he was treated for a severe lung infection that had developed into double pneumonia.
His final public appearance took place on Easter Sunday, April 20, in what has now become a poignant farewell.
Thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square that morning, uncertain whether the ailing pontiff would make an appearance. While he did not preside over the Easter Mass—delegating the role to Cardinal Angelo Comastri—Pope Francis did emerge on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to deliver a brief yet heartfelt Easter message.
“Brothers and sisters, happy Easter!” he declared, drawing loud cheers and chants of “Viva il Papa!” from the crowd.
In a moment that touched many, the Pope later toured the square in his open-top popemobile, offering waves, blessings, and smiles to pilgrims and families—his final gesture of closeness to the faithful.
Earlier that day, Pope Francis also held a short private meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance. A video of their exchange has since gone viral in the wake of the Pope’s death.
According to a Vatican statement, the encounter was “a brief private meeting lasting a few minutes, in order to exchange good wishes on Easter day.” Vance, a practicing Catholic, had previously disagreed with the Pope on immigration issues during the Trump administration.
On Monday morning, the Vatican confirmed the Pope’s passing.
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father,” announced Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo. “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.”
