Pope Francis died on Easter Monday

The Vatican announced the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, Easter Monday.

His Eminence, Cardinal Farrell, sadly announced the death of Pope Francis, saying: « Dear brothers and sisters, it is with deep sadness that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. This morning at 7:35 a.m., the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned home to the Father’s house. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and his Church. He taught us to live the values ​​of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we entrust the soul of Pope Francis to the infinitely merciful love of the Triune God. »

The 88-year-old Pope was still able to participate in Easter celebrations, the most important Catholic holiday, on Sunday, April 20th. He had given his « Urbi et Orbi » blessing the day before his death.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, as he was born, was born in 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was the first non-European pope since the 8th century.

A mass is scheduled for noon at Notre-Dame, another for 6 p.m., before a major prayer vigil around 7 p.m. in tribute to the pontiff.

The bells of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris rang 88 times at 11 a.m., in tribute to Pope Francis, who died on Monday, April 21st at the age of 88. The « 88 strokes for 88 years of life, » according to the Notre-Dame Cathedral press office, concluded with a grand peal of the bells.

The Eiffel Tower will also be turned off Monday evening in his honor, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced, adding that she would propose that a site in Paris bear his name.

Tributes from around the world are pouring in, from Emmanuel Macron to Giorgia Meloni, including the White House, Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine.

Spain has declared three days of official mourning, as announced by the Spanish Minister of Justice, in charge of the Presidency and Relations with Parliament: « We are deeply saddened by the death of a good man and a great pope » who « marked a renovating and reformist impulse for the Catholic Church that will leave a mark on history. »

Haim Korsia, the Chief Rabbi of France, praised Pope Francis’s fight « against anti-Semitism. » He recalled « his last speech yesterday, » which « was a strong, firm reminder of the Church’s commitment to combating anti-Semitism, which he saw with sorrow spreading throughout the world. »

King Charles III, along with his wife, Queen Camilla, expressed their sadness in a statement. « Our heavy hearts were, however, somewhat relieved to know that His Holiness was able to share Easter greetings with the Church and the world he served with such dedication throughout his life and ministry. »

For the first time in three centuries, Pope Francis will not be buried in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, as the pontiff had wished. He requested to be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the largest monument and the oldest Roman church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, a very important place for Pope Francis.

The Russian President paid tribute to the Pope in a message published on the Kremlin website: « Throughout his pontificate, he actively contributed to the development of dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, as well as to constructive interaction between Russia and the Holy See, » hailing him as a « wise leader » and « a constant defender of the high values ​​of humanism and justice. »

« Holy Father, we pray for you, we Catholics, but also many men and women throughout the world who have heard in your voice a voice of humanity’s conscience, » read a statement from Bishop Eric de Moulins Beaufort, President of the French Bishops’ Conference.

The President of the Italian Council paid tribute to Pope Francis in a message published on X: « Pope Francis has returned to the Father’s house. » « I had the privilege of benefiting from his friendship, his advice, and his teachings, which never failed, even in times of trial and suffering. In the meditations of the Stations of the Cross, he reminded us of the power of the gift, which makes everything flourish again and is capable of reconciling what in human eyes is irreconcilable, » wrote the head of state.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem announced that a prayer Mass for Pope Francis will be held « at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, » where Jesus was crucified and buried, « on Wednesday at 9:30/10:00 a.m., presided over by His Beatitude Cardinal Pizzaballa and members of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries. »

The presidency of Argentina, Pope Francis’s home country, posted a message on X in which it stated that it « deeply regrets his passing » and offered « its condolences » to the sovereign’s family. « President Javier Milei highlights Pope Francis’s tireless fight to protect life from the moment of conception, » a statement read.

The White House reacts to the Pope’s death
« Rest in peace, Pope Francis, » the White House simply wrote on its X account.

Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to Pope Francis moments after the announcement of his death, speaking to the press during a trip to Mayotte. He then posted a message on X: « From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest, » adding: « To all Catholics, to the grieving world, my wife and I send our thoughts. »

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced in a statement that « the Eiffel Tower will be turned off tonight » to « honor the memory » of the Pope. She added that she will propose « that a place in Paris bear his name. »

US Vice President J.D. Vance met with Pope Francis yesterday. He paid tribute to him in a message posted on X: « My heart goes out to the millions of Christians around the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, even though he was visibly very ill. But I will always remember him for the homily below, which he delivered at the very beginning of COVID. It was truly beautiful. May God rest his soul in peace. »

Nostradamus made predictions for the year 2025 in his book The Prophecies, written in the form of quatrain poems.

The 16th-century French apothecary, passionate about astrology, is said to have predicted the deposition of Charles III and the arrival of a new pope following the death of Pope Francis. Nostradamus reportedly mentions natural disasters in his prophecies for 2025, particularly those related to global warming. He appears to be referring to a volcanic eruption in the Andes, as well as earthquakes and violent storms. He also allegedly predicted an economic crisis, including food and medical shortages. These two predictions do not seem all that surprising given the proliferation of such events in recent years and the current global economic difficulties. Following the announcement of the death of the Roman Pontiff Francis, as provided for in the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis (nn. 21-40), this evening, Monday, April 21, at 8:00 p.m., His Eminence the Most Reverend Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of certification of death and the burial of the body.

The Most Eminent Dean of the College of Cardinals, the relatives of the Roman Pontiff, and the Director and Deputy Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of Vatican City State are invited to participate in the rite. They will be present at 7:45 p.m. in the Chapel of the Domus Sanctae Martha. The clergy will wear their own choir robes.

©2025 – IMPACT EUROPEAN

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