Pope Francis Has Died

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It is our sad duty to announce the death of the Holy Father, Pope Francis. He passed away in his quarters at 7:35am Rome time on Monday 21 April 2025.

The following statement was released by the Vatican news service making the announcement:

At 9.47 this morning, His Eminence Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, announced with sorrow the death of Pope Francis, with these words:

“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.

At 7.35 this morning the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was devoted to service to the Lord and His Church.

He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalized.

With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love the One and Triune God”.

The Vatican Office of Liturgical Celebrations made the following announcement regarding his death:

NOTIFICATION

CERTIFICATION OF DEATH
AND LAYING IN THE COFFIN
OF THE BODY OF THE ROMAN PONTIFF
FRANCIS

Following the notification of the death of the Roman Pontiff Francis, in accordance with the provisions of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis (nos. 21-40), this evening, Monday 21 April, at 20.00, His Reverend Eminence Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of the certification of death and the laying of the body in the coffin.

The Most Eminent Dean of the College of Cardinals, the family members of the Roman Pontiff, the Director and the Vice Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State are therefore requested to take part in the rite, and are requested to be present in the Chapel of the Domus Sanctæ Marthæ at 19.45 The Ecclesiastics will wear their own choral habit.

Vatican City, 21 April 2025

By mandate of His Eminence the Cardinal Camerlengo

✠ Diego Ravelli
Titular Archbishop of Recanati
Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations

The Vatican news service has announced a Rosary in Pope Francis’ name, set for 7:30PM Rome time today

The Vatican news service has released a video about his life of service, which can be viewed here:

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis with these prayers:

Prayer for a Deceased Pope 

God, Who, in Thine ineffable providence, didst will that Thy servant Francis … should be numbered among the high priests; grant, we beseech Thee, that he, who on earth held the place of Thine only-begotten Son, may be joined forevermore to the fellowship of Thy holy pontiffs. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
Amen.

Source: Roman Missal

Requiem Aeternam (“Eternal Rest”)

V. Eternal rest grant unto Francis, O Lord.
R. And let the perpetual light shine upon him.

And may his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

PSALMUS 129: DE PROFUNDIS (Latin) — 

De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine:
Domine, exaudi vocem meam:
Fiant aures tuae intendentes,
in vocem deprecationis meae.
Si iniquitates observaveris, Domine:
Domine, quis sustinebit?
Quia apud te propitiatio est:
et propter legem tuam sustinui te, Domine.
Sustinuit anima mea in verbo eius:
speravit anima mea in Domino.
A custodia matutina usque ad noctem:
speret Israel in Domino.
Quia apud Dominum misericordia:
et copiosa apud eum redemptio.
Et ipse redimet Israel,
ex omnibus iniquitatibus eius.
Gloria Patri, et Filio,
et Spiritui Sancto.
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper,
et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

PSALM 129: DE PROFUNDIS (English) — 

Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord: * Lord, hear my voice.
Let Thy ears be attentive * to the voice of my supplication.
If Thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: * Lord, who shall stand it?
For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness: * and by reason of thy law, I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath relied on His word, * my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch even until night, * let Israel hope in the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption.
And he shall redeem Israel * from all his iniquities.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Source: EWTN, traditional prayer of the Church for the deceased

The Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word offer this prayer for the Holy Father:

Lord Jesus, you have called Pope Francis to yourself. Thank you for the gift of his papacy. When he was with us, he tirelessly showed the Church your constant mercy toward sinners. Grant him now your mercy and let him rest eternally with you in your Kingdom. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word (MFVA) were founded in 1987 by Mother Angelica (foundress of EWTN) and have a primary apostolate to communicate the truth and beauty of the Catholic faith through word and example. The friars provide generously for the spiritual and sacramental needs of the Eternal Word Television Network, the Poor Clare nuns and the Christian faithful.