On Monday, the Easter world covered the news of the death of Pope Francis. The head of the Catholic Church died at 7:35 p.m. 21 April 2025 in the Holy House of Martha. The funeral celebrations are scheduled for Saturday, April 26.
Communication on the Pope's death
Francis left, 266th successor to St. Peter. Information about the death of the Bishop of Rome announced at 9:45 p.m. 21 April 2025, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the chamberling of the Roman Church.
"Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sadness I declare the death of our Holy Father"
– said the hierarch in the chapel of the Holy House of Marty. The Pope left after a short illness, surrounded by his closest colleagues.
Plan of funeral ceremonies
The central point of farewell will be the funeral Mass atSaturday 26 April at 10 a.m.. The ceremony will be held in St. Peter's Square, according to the tradition of recent decades.
The Vatican confirms:
- Access for all believers
- Media transmission in 54 languages
- Participation of delegations from 138 countries
Role of chamberling in procedures
Card. Farrell as a cameraling took over the temporary management of the Church. Its tasks include:
- Confirmation of the Pope's death
- Security of the papal apartment
- Conclave organisation within 15-20 days
Historical context
The death of the incumbent Pope is an unprecedented event since the death of John Paul II in 2005. Francis was the first Pope in 600 years residing in the Holy House of Marty to sign up in history with a reformist approach to church management.
The last farewell of Pope Francis will gather both supporters and critics of his pontificate. The Vatican calls for respect for the intimacy of the ceremony, while recalling the universal character of Catholic mourning.
