At noon on Monday, April 21, 2025, church bells across Italy began to hit. THE Pope Francis He had died at the age of 88.
They had not even passed 24 hours since Pope Francis made an unexpected – and last – appearance on the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Squareblessing the 35,000 people who had gathered to celebrate Easter in the Vatican.
The Pope was breathing on his own, without oxygen, despite the fact that his doctors had recommended him to rest for two months, after 38 days of hospitalization with double pneumonia.
In the last two weeks, Francis has done what he always did – he received visitors and met people from every social mattress.
When he appeared on Easter Sunday, the crowd down broke out in cheers as soon as he saw him.
“Dear brothers and sisters, I wish you a Happy Easter”, He said with his voice coming out with difficulty. It was his last public words.
“Sisters and brothers, especially those of you who live in pain and anxiety, your silent scream has been heard, your tears were collected, not one went lost. With the passion and death of Jesus, God lifted the burden of all the evil in the world and with his unlimited mercy, he defeated it. Christ Risen. This announcement encompasses all the importance of our existence, which is not made for death, but for life. Easter is the feast of life, “Pope Francis said in his message.
“I think people felt something – as if they knew it was the last time they saw him,” said the Mauro, resident of Rome found in St. Peter’s Square for Easter operation and had returned to pay tribute to him.
“Usually everyone is shouting ‘Long live the Pope!’ … This time he was quieter than usual, perhaps with more respect for his pain.” “He blessed us, but his voice didn’t come out”said another man, Alberto. “I think he was saying goodbye to us for the last time.”
A day before his death, Pope Francis appeared on the balcony overlooking Saint Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday to deliver a special blessing called ‘Urbi et Orbi’ (to the city and the world) https://t.co/KMiaN6t52e pic.twitter.com/sjLT0aoolC
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 21, 2025
Doctors watching him at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital had suggested a complete rest – but it was never possible that such an active Pope, who had dedicated his term in touch with the world, would fully comply.
He had already made it clear that He wanted to be in the Vatican for Easteras soon as his doctors explained that his health problems would not go soon.
Before being discharged on March 23, Francis had saluted the crowd from the hospital, and then returned to his accommodation at the Casa Santa Marta hostel, who had chosen as his residence where he finally left his last breath.
His medical team considered that oxygen was all that was needed, and that the recovery there was safer than in a hospital with the potential risks of infection.
As Easter approached, his schedule became increasingly full.
Met him King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Casa Santa Marta hostel, and appeared on the Vatican’s balcony for the Sunday of April 13, Four days later, in front of 20,000 people, against medical instructions. For the Pope, however, Easter was the most important of all.
Last Thursday, as he had done many times in the past – and as he used to do in Argentina before he was elected Pope – he visited the Regina Coeli prison in Romewhere he spent half an hour with the prisoners. He was welcomed by applause as he arrived with a wheelchair.
In previous years he had washed the feet of prisoners, imitating Christ, who did the same with his disciples the night before the crucifixion. “This year I can’t do that, but I can – and I want – be close to you,” he was justified with a weak voice to the dozens of prisoners who warmly applauded him.
“We’re so lucky. The outside do not see him and we saw him, “said one man in the Italian media. As he left, a journalist asked him how to live Easter this year.
“In any way I can,” he replied. And on Sunday, he kept his promise.
Held a short meeting with US Vice President Jay Di Vance and then appeared on the balcony in front of the crowd in St. Peter’s Square.
Gave his final blessing – the well -known speech “City and the world.” Then Archbishop Diego Ravelli read a speech written by the Pope as he was sitting silent on his side.
Then, to the surprise of all, he went down to the square, and boarded the special white “Papa-Mobile”, the Mercedes-Benz open vehicle with which the popes meet the crowd.
A camera followed him as he blessed the faithful, and some uploaded babies closer to him.
It was the last time people saw him alive.
Watching him, Alberto from Rome felt he would not be able to withstand much yet, even though his death shocked him.
“I didn’t feel happy when I saw him. I realized that she was in pain“, He said. “But it was an honor I saw him for the last time.”
Franciscus died early Monday morning at his beloved Casa Santa Marta – a hostel with about 100 simple rooms, run by nuns and hosts visitors and pilgrims.
Just over two hours later, Cardinal Camerarios, Kevin Joseph Farrellhe went to Casa Santa Marta and announced the tragic news that scattered sadness on the planet, the death of Pope Francis.
The Vatican stated Monday afternoon that The pope died of stroke and irreversible heart failure.
His room was far from the lack of traditional papal apartments, which Franciscus had renounced from the beginning of his term, saying that he wanted to “live between people”.
“If I lived alone, even a little isolated, it wouldn’t be useful to me,” he said then.
In the coming days, cardinals from all over the world will be hosted at Casa Santa Marta as they gather in Rome for the Conclave who will elect his successor.
Information from BBC