Pope Francis dies at 88

Our live coverage of Pope Francis’ death has moved here.

Pope Francis kisses the hand of the Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque Nasaruddin Umar after an interreligious meeting in Jakarta on September 5, 2024.

A religious leader in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation expressed deep condolences for the death of Pope Francis, describing the pontiff as a close friend.

Nasaruddin Umar, Indonesia’s religious affairs minister and the grand imam of Southeast Asia’s largest mosque, said his ministry “and all Indonesian people express our deepest condolences for the passing of Pope Francis,” according to national news agency Antara.

“We cannot forget his service and friendship,” Umar said.

Francis met with Umar last September during a visit to Indonesia, where the pope signed an interfaith declaration of solidarity and visited Jakarta’s grand Istiqlal Mosque, which is linked to the capital’s Catholic cathedral by an underpass known as the “tunnel of friendship.”

In a symbolic moment of interfaith harmony, Umar kissed Francis’ head who in turn kissed the Muslim leader’s hand.

“Hopefully, the cooperation between Indonesia and the Vatican, and the will that Pope Francis has pioneered, can be followed up as agreed,” Umar said today, according to Antara.

Indonesia, a secular state of more than 275 million people with a 90% Muslim majority, is home to about 8 million Catholics, according to the Church-run Vatican News.

Cubans attend a mass in honor of late Pope Francis in Havana, Cuba, on Monday.

Several Latin American countries have declared days of national mourning in honor of the passing of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church’s first Latin American pontiff.

Attendees hoist a picture of blessed Peter To Rot during a meeting between Pope Francis and young people at the Sir John Guise stadium in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on September 9, 2024.

One of Pope Francis’ last acts was to approve the canonization of a man who will become Papua New Guinea’s first saint.

Peter To Rot, a layman with a wife and children, led a Catholic mission in PNG during the Japanese occupation in World War II and continued to practice his faith in secret, even as other missionaries were arrested, according to the church-run Vatican News.

Becoming a saint normally requires documentation proving two miracles, but bishops in the region reportedly asked Francis to make an exception in To Rot’s case, which he granted. To Rot was beatified by Pope John Paul II on his second visit to PNG in 1995 – the first step toward becoming a saint.

Almost 30 years later, Francis traveled to PNG last September as part a lengthy tour of Asia and Oceania. Around 35,000 people were estimated to have attended a mass he delivered in the PNG capital, Port Moresby. One third of PNG’s population of 11.8 million people are said to identify as Catholic.

Pope Francis was elected in 2013 after Benedict XVI retired. He was the first Latin American pope in history and the first from the Americas.

Before he was pope, he was Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos Aires.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio as a young boy.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio with his parents in 1958.

The future pope washes a woman's feet at a maternity hospital in Buenos Aires in 2005.

The pope releases a dove as a symbol of peace while in Tbilisi, Georgia, in September 2016.

The pope prays with priests in a Vatican courtyard in September 2020.

See more photos from Pope Francis’ life

In the wake of Pope Francis’ death today, Elizabeth Borges said the pilgrimage group she was traveling with changed its itinerary to come to Vatican City earlier than scheduled to pray for the pontiff.

“We found out about (the pope’s death), so we came right now because we wanted to pray for him,” Borges, who is from Peru and lives in Florida, told CNN in St. Peter’s Square. “I feel very blessed to be here to pray for the pope… and hopefully to see him too.”

The pope will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, where the public can pay their respects to him later this week.

Borges and her group were on a Holy Week pilgrimage to sites throughout Europe. They started in Bosnia and arrived in Rome today. They were due to finish the journey at the Vatican later this week for the canonization of Carlo Acutis, which has now been postponed.

“I believe it was a very special day that he passed away right after Holy Week,” Borges said. “Monday is the day of the angels.”

The group prayed late into the night and sang hymns in Spanish.

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From Trump to Macron, hear world leaders react to Pope Francis' death

00:52 • Source: CNN

From Trump to Macron, hear world leaders react to Pope Francis' death

00:52

Leaders across the Americas paid tribute to Pope Francis as the region — home to 47.8% of the world’s Catholic population, according to the Vatican — woke up to news of his death.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney remembered the pope as “a shepherd of deep moral clarity, spiritual courage, and boundless compassion” who “redefined the moral responsibilities of leadership in the 21^st century.”

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a post on X it was a “great honor and privilege” to know the pope, calling him a “humanist who stood for the poor, peace, and equality.”

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said “humanity loses a voice of respect and acceptance of others” in his post mourning the pope’s death. Francis “always stood by those who need it most: the poor, refugees, the young, the elderly, and the victims of wars and all forms of prejudice,” Lula da Silva added.

US President Donald Trump commemorated the pope on social media, saying “May God Bless him and all who loved him!” He was joined by other US political leaders, who also released tributes to Pope Francis, which you can read here.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel praised Francis for the “displays of affection and cordial closeness” he conveyed to the Cuban people, saying they fondly remember his visits to the country and the loving messages he dedicated to them.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he considered the pope to be “a great friend,” and said his passing left him feeling “somewhat alone.” He lauded the pontiff for his spiritual leadership, saying his papal letters “will go down in history if we are able to build a humanity that defends its greatest good: Life.”

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro remembered the pope as a defender of marginalized communities, particularly in the Global South, calling him a “brother” to the region and a “transformative spiritual leader, whose clear and courageous voice denounced the inequalities of the dominant system and called for the construction of a more humane, more just, and profoundly supportive world.”

This post was updated with more reactions from leaders in Latin America.

Correction: An earlier version of this post misstated how many of the world’s Catholics live in the Americas. It is 47.8%.

Faithful gather for a rosary prayer for the late Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Square on Monday.

Pope Francis died this morning at the age of 88, following a stroke and a heart failure, the Vatican said.

He was the first Latin American pontiff and also one of the oldest popes in the church’s history. His passing has triggered the start of a millennia-old process of picking a new pontiff.

Here’s what you need to know about the next steps:

The mourning period: The pope’s passing marked the start of “Papal Interregnum” – the period between the death of one pope and the election of another. The timeline for the funeral is mostly predetermined; the pope’s death includes nine days of mourning known as the Novendiales, and the pope must be buried between the fourth and sixth day after death. Cardinals must now decide exactly when the funeral can take place. Until then, the pope will lie in state in a coffin.

The burial: In his will, Francis declared his wish to be buried in a simple tomb in the ground at Rome’s Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, a significant Catholic church and papal basilica. Seven past pontiffs are buried there but he will be the first in over a century who chose this burial site, which is outside the Vatican. He had arranged for an unnamed benefactor to cover the expenses of his burial, according to the will released by the Vatican.

Picking a new pope: Cardinals – senior church officials – from around the world must gather for the conclave to select Francis’ successor. The voting process is kept secret and typically takes between two and three weeks for a pope to be chosen, though it can stretch slightly beyond that if cardinals struggle to agree on a candidate.

The interim: Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who holds the position of “camerlengo” or chamberlain, has become acting head of the Vatican until a new pope is elected. Farrell was also the cardinal who sealed the Papal Apartment of the Apostolic Palace, the traditional residence of the pope, to mark the beginning of the mourning period. The apartment was not used by Francis, who lived in Casa Santa Marta, and that apartment was also sealed. The closure of the pope’s residences is a symbolic gesture that historically served to prevent looting and symbolizes the formal end of the Francis pontificate.

Candles lit by a monument in St. Peter's square.

People gathered in St. Peter’s Square tonight following Pope Francis’ death to honor his memory, placing flowers and candles at various monuments in the area.

Police came to close the piazza at 11 p.m. local time (5 p.m. ET), but there were still people walking around, some taking photos. Several were quietly praying and a small group sang a hymn.

People gather in St. Peter's square to pay homage to Pope Francis.

Francisco Obregón, from Argentina, arrived today for a family vacation. They heard the news of the pope’s death on the flight to Italy.

Obregón said he didn’t agree with everything Francis did during his tenure at the Vatican, but regardless he and his family said they are sad and will mourn the pope’s loss.

“We as Catholics believe death is the start of a new beginning with God,” he added, wishing the pope a peaceful afterlife.

Jimena Figeroa from Mexico expressed sadness but also admiration for Francis’ accomplishments.

Asked what her hope is for the next pope is, Figeroa said: “Not conservative — progressive to continue the legacy of Pope Francis. To move the church forward.”

A small group of people sing a hymn.

Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell seals the door to the papal bedroom and studio at the Vatican on Monday.

The Vatican has sealed the pope’s official residence, symbolizing the beginning of the mourning period.

Vatican footage shared by Reuters shows Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the camerlengo (or chamberlain), looking on as a Vatican employee places a red ribbon on the door of Pope Francis’ residence, tying it shut, before putting a wax seal on the ribbon. Farrell is then seen checking the seal and making sure the door is securely shut.

The sealed residence shown in the footage was the Papal Apartment of the Apostolic Palace, the traditional residence of the pope, although it was not by Francis. The pontiff lived in Casa Santa Marta, which was also sealed, according to the Vatican.

The sealing of the residence is a symbolic gesture done by the camerlengo – the acting head of the Vatican – that historically served to prevent looting of the pope’s residence. It also symbolizes the formal end of the Francis’ pontificate.

People react inside Buenos Aires' Metropolitan Cathedral, after the death of Pope Francis was announced by the Vatican, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, April 21, 2025. REUTERS/Matias Baglietto

Is it possible to cry with a heartfelt smile? Pope Francis made it possible in Argentina this morning, when millions of people heard the news of his death.

Throughout the country where Francis was born and where he spent most of his life serving the poor, people are crying over the loss of their compatriot but also thinking about the many ways their hearts were touched by his empathy and love.

Many mourners attended the Metropolitan Cathedral of Buenos Aires, to pray in silence and say their goodbyes.

Elisa, an Argentine woman in her forties, was one of them. She was going to work when she heard the news on TV and decided to go to the cathedral instead.

Tearfully, she recalled how the pope – then priest Jorge Bergoglio – had given her the sacrament of confirmation and how afterwards, to follow his example, she had started serving in deprived neighborhoods.

Others brought flowers, lit candles or wrote thank-you letters to leave outside the cathedral.

But in the land where it is often said children learn how to kick a soccer ball before walking, many people chose to leave a football badge.

Not any badge, but that of the team Francis loved – San Lorenzo de Almagro.

“He was always one of ours,” the club said in a statement.

Mario, a San Lorenzo supporter stood outside the cathedral, smiled and agreed.

Pope Francis is greeted by youths during an audience for middle schools belonging to the "Cavalieri" group, which promote Christian life, in the Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, on June 2, 2017.

Pope Francis was a “messenger of hope, humility, and humanity,” the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, said at a news conference in New York where he paid tribute to the late pontiff.

Guterres extended his condolences to Catholics and called Francis a “transcendent voice for peace, human dignity, and social justice.”

Those working at the UN were “greatly inspired by his commitment to the goals and ideals of our organization,” Guterres added.

Guterres also mentioned Francis’ Easter message, delivered on Sunday, just hours before his death. Francis “urged the world to invest in what he referred to as the weapons of peace, to help the most vulnerable, to fight hunger, to advance development,” Guterres said.

In a separate statement, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) expressed sadness at the passing of the pope, calling him a “tireless advocate for the rights and dignity of refugees, migrants and the forcibly displaced worldwide.”

This post was updated with the statement from UNHCR.

Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko attends a rosary for Pope Francis at Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore on Monday.

A crowd of people gathered for a second rosary prayer for Pope Francis at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome today.

Candles were lit on either side of the icon of the Virgin Mary Salus Populi Romani and flowers were laid in front of it. Those attending the rosary prayed and sang.

The basilica held significance to Francis, who visited the church before and after trips abroad, as well as after hospital stays. After being discharged from hospital earlier this year, he visited the basilica before returning to his residence.

US President Donald Trump announced today he and first lady Melania Trump will be attending the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome.

Pope Francis’ death garnered worldwide attention and widespread support — dozens of world leaders praised the pontiff after the 88-year-old’s passing. Trump ordered flags flown at half-staff earlier in honor of the pope’s death.

Trump told reporters about the pope’s legacy: “He’s a very good man who loved the world. And he especially loved people that were having a hard time. And that’s good with me.”

In 2005 — the last time a sitting pope died — then-president George W. Bush attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II in Rome. Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush joined him.

An Argentine rabbi who knew Pope Francis since he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires says he remembers the pontiff as someone who generated dialogue between different faiths.

Rabbi Daniel Goldman told CNN that he and other religious leaders were inspired by Francis’ teachings to create the Interreligious Dialogue Institute of Argentina — a civil association that brings together the three main monotheistic religions of Argentina.

Goldman shared personal stories of the pope, including monthly lunch meetings they would have together to talk about life.

“As part of our expression, it was forbidden to talk about politics and religion, so we talked about humor, about soccer,” he said.

Before some of those gatherings, Goldman recalled, Francis would call him to ask which bus he should take to the meeting, a gesture that the rabbi said highlighted Francis’ humility and simplicity.

“And in a way, this was funny because he’d get off the bus and walk around the neighborhood. People would stop to say hello. It was quite an experience to be around him,” Goldman said.

People stand next to a photograph of Pope Francis placed at Saint Anthony Catholic church in Istanbul, Turkey on Monday.

Tributes are pouring in from all around the world after the death of Pope Francis.

The pope was 88 years old and last appeared giving the Easter blessing on Sunday. The Vatican said he died of a stroke and heart failure.

Here’s the latest and what comes next:

CNN’s Elise Hammond, Michael Rios, Sharon Braithwaite, Catherine Nicholls, Barbie Latza Nadeau, Cecilia Dominguez, Nacho Giron, Christian Edwards, Rob Picheta, Christopher Lamb and Max Saltman contributed reporting to this post.

Archbishop of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan points to an image of Pope Francis as he addresses the media at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan on Monday.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, will celebrate a Mass for Pope Francis at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral tomorrow at noon, the Archdiocese of New York Marketing Office said today.

“The cardinal will depart for Rome on Tuesday evening for the funeral of Pope Francis, and the subsequent conclave to elect his successor,” the release added.

The timing of Francis’ death and the way he lived his final days had profound significance, the cardinal said today.

Pope Francis wasn’t just “an eloquent preacher,” Dolan said. He also cared deeply for every member of his church and communities of other faiths.

A general view of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, in Rome on Monday.

Pope Francis said that he wished to be buried in a “simple” tomb in the ground at Rome’s Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, which should bear a one-word inscription – his name in Latin.

Francis chose to be buried in the basilica because of its personal significance to him, noting in his will that he prayed there regularly. He will be the first pope in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican.

He said he had arranged for an unnamed benefactor to cover the expenses of his burial.

Pope Francis died of a stroke followed by heart failure on Monday morning, the Vatican’s press office said in a statement released Monday evening.

Francis’ death was also affected by other ailments, including a “previous episode of acute respiratory failure,” arterial hypertension and type II diabetes, the statement said.

The statement was signed by the Director of the Health and Hygiene Directorate of the Vatican City State, Andrea Arcangeli.

The late pontiff was hospitalized for five weeks earlier this year, initially suffering from a severe respiratory infection. He was subsequently diagnosed with a polymicrobial infection, which evolved to pneumonia in both lungs. Francis came close to death during his hospitalization, according to his medical team.

His doctors had said that the pope was so critically ill the staff considered stopping his treatment so he could die. After his medical team said his condition had stabilized, he continued his recovery at his Casa Santa Marta residence.

Despite his poor health, Francis, one of the oldest popes in the church’s history, was seen a number of times in public at the Vatican during Holy Week, culminating in an Easter Sunday appearance where he delighted crowds at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

This post was updated with more details on the pope’s medical history.

Several actors, TV hosts and celebrities have paid tribute to Pope Francis by sharing photos and messages in remembrance of the late pontiff.

Actor Jonathan Pryce, who earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Pope Francis in the 2019 film “The Two Popes,” said in a statement sent to CNN that he was “saddened to hear” of the Pope’s death and that it was “an absolute privilege to portray him.” Pryce added that Pope Francis “was a man of integrity who embraced diversity and equality, spoke for the poor, the disenfranchised, refugees and immigrants” and called on “world leaders” to listen to his teachings.

“The View” host Whoopi Goldberg shared a photo of her meeting Pope Francis on her Instagram page, writing in the caption that he was “the closest in a long time that seemed to remember that Christ’s love enveloped believer and none believer.” Goldberg added that her reminded her of “Pope John the 23rd who made belief real.”

Actor Antonio Banderas remembered Pope Francis on his Instagram page as “a man who, at the head of the Catholic Church, showed kindness, love, and mercy to the neediest people,” and shared a photo of himself shaking hands with the pontiff.

Late night host Jimmy Fallon wrote on his Instagram page that it was “an honor” to meet Pope Francis last summer, adding that he’s glad to have made the pope laugh and thanked him for his “encouraging words.”

Journalist and author Maria Shriver said she was “deeply heartbroken” to learn of the passing of Francis, writing on her Instagram page about how much she “admired his voice in our world.” Shriver also recalled traveling to Rome to cover Pope Francis in his earliest days as the pontiff, calling it “one of the highlights of my journalism career” and wrote she was “proud to be a Catholic” while he was the pope. “I hope whoever comes next will continue Pope Francis’s steady, strong, and compassionate leadership,” she added.”

Actor Russell Crowe shared a photo of Rome on his X page, writing that it’s a “beautiful day” in the capital of Italy but that it’s “a sad day for the faithful.”