Live updates: Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis, the 266th Bishop of Rome and Sovereign of the Vatican City, died on Easter Monday. He was 88. 

The Vatican confirmed his death early Monday in an announcement read out by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived.

"At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,″ Ferrell said.

"He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized."

Follow along for live updates: 

Pope’s apartment is now sealed

5:15 p.m. ET: Closing up the pope’s formal apartment at the Apostolic Palace is a key part of Catholic tradition after the death of a pope. Officials draped a red ribbon through the door handles on Monday afternoon, AP noted, then poured liquid wax on the bow and impressed Francis’ papal seal on the wax to hold the knot.

Pope Francis cause of death

2:45 p.m. ET: The Vatican said the pope's cause of death was a stroke that put him into a coma and led to heart failure, AP reports.

Francis had recently returned to the Vatican after 38 days in a hospital for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy. He  appeared in public on Sunday with an Easter blessing and popemobile tour through a cheering crowd in St. Peter’s Square. 

Vatican holds first public commemoration

1:45 p.m. ET: The Vatican has begun a Rosary prayer in St. Peter’s Square in its first public commemoration following Pope Francis’ death. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, led the prayer as the sun set.

The Associated Press reports the first reading was delivered by Sister Raffaella Petrini, president of the Vatican City State and one of the highest ranking women at the Vatican. Her appointment was a sign of Francis' insistence that women be given more prominent, decision-making roles.

Pres. Trump will reportedly attend funeral

1:15 p.m. ET: Citing sources, the New York Post reports President Trump will attend Pope Francis' funeral in Vatican City later this week. Earlier in the day, at the White House Easter egg roll, the president said he was not yet sure if he would attend. 

The full schedule for the funeral has not yet been finalized.

Pope Francis recognized ‘essential dignity’

9:45 a.m. ET: Pope Francis’ recognition of the "essential dignity" of every human being helped him confront issues such as climate change and the plight of migrants, as well as the child sexual abuse scandal that has rocked the church, Irish President Michael Higgins said. 

During his last visit to Ireland in 2018, Francis spoke about the child sexual abuse scandal that has undermined support for the church in the once overwhelmingly Catholic country.

"On such matters, and on others such as attitudes towards women and those of the LGBTQ+ community within the Church, Pope Francis sought to play a positive role," Higgins said. "I recall at the end of our meetings he would say as to his work on such issues, ‘it is very difficult’, as he asked for and offered prayers."

When will public begin paying final respects?

9 a.m. ET: The public can likely begin paying final respects to Pope Francis starting on Wednesday in St. Peter’s Basilica, according to the Vatican. 

The date will be confirmed when cardinals gather for the first time after Francis’ death on Tuesday morning to make the first decisions about funeral plans and other urgent matters.

Francis’ coffin will be moved from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where he lived, to St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing. According to a new ritual he approved last year, the body will be placed in a wooden coffin, with a zinc coffin inside.

In a change ordered by Francis, the pope’s body will no longer be placed on an elevated bier in the basilica. Rather, the wooden coffin is placed facing the pews.

No date for the funeral has been announced, but it must be held between four and six days after the death.

Vance's team was ‘excited’ over pope meeting 

8:30 a.m. ET: Vance's team shared "how excited and grateful they were for the opportunity to have met with the pope just yesterday," according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

In an appearance on FOX News, Leavitt added that it was "a solemn day for Catholics around the world, and we are praying for all those who loved the pope and believed in him."

Trump sends his condolences

8 a.m. ET: President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social about Francis' death: "Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!"

Video: Pope Francis' last public appearance at the Vatican

7:50 a.m. ET: Pope Francis appeared on the balcony on Sunday to give a blessing during Easter mass before greeting visitors in his Popemobile. Video obtained by FOX 29 shows the pope driving through the crowds, waving as people cheered.

This was the pope's last public appearance before the Vatican announced his death on Monday morning.

1st formal Vatican service for Francis set  

7:30 a.m. ET: The first formal liturgical ritual for Francis will happen at 8 p.m. local time (or 2 p.m. ET) on Monday with the confirmation of the pope’s death and the placement of the body in the coffin.

The Vatican released the announcement from Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the master of liturgical ceremonies. The presiding prelate is Cardinal Joseph Farrell, the camerlengo who has taken over the administration of the Holy See and will remain in charge until a new pope is elected.

The ceremony will take place in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where Francis lived. Those invited to attend include the dean of the College of Cardinals, any relatives of the pope, the director and vice director of the Vatican’s health department.

According to the new rites and rituals Francis approved last year, the body will remain in the chapel for a few days before being brought for public viewing in St. Peter’s Basilica. After that there will be a funeral and conclave to elect a new pope.

Canonization of 1st millennial saint postponed 

7 a.m. ET: The canonization of the first millennial saint, Carlo Acutis, has been postponed due to Pope Francis' death, the Vatican announced.

Acutis, an Italian teen, used his computer savvy to create an online exhibit about more than 100 eucharistic miracles recognized by the church over many centuries, focused on the real presence of Christ that Catholics believe is in the consecrated bread and wine.

He died of acute leukemia at age 15 in 2006, and the canonization was planned for Sunday, April 27.

Pope Francis' death: Vatican prepares first rituals 

6:30 a.m. ET: The Vatican is preparing the first rituals following Francis’ death. 

The body of the pope is expected to be transferred within the course of the day to the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where he lived, so that Vatican officials can pay their final respects. While there, the head of the Vatican health service examines the body, ascertains the cause of death and writes a report – which is expected late Monday.

The body rests in the pope’s personal chapel for the ritual pronouncement of death, presided over by the camerlengo, the Vatican official who runs the Holy See administration between the death or resignation of one pope and the election of another.

For the public, the cardinal archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, is expected to lead a recitation of the Rosary prayer in St. Peter’s Square later on Monday.

Chief rabbi of Rome: Francis opened dialogue between Judaism, Catholicism

6 a.m. ET: The chief rabbi of Rome, Riccardo di Segni, shared his "heartfelt condolences to the Catholic world" on the pope’s death on behalf of Rome’s Jewish community.

He said that Francis’ pontificate was an important new chapter in the history of relations between Judaism and Catholicism, "with openings to a dialogue that was sometimes difficult but always respectful," according to the Associated Press. 

"I remember the numerous occasions in which I met him, always marked by sympathy, attention and trust. With my community I express my condolences for his passing and heartfelt condolences to the Catholic world."

How many popes have there been?

5:50 a.m. ET: The history of the Catholic Church includes 266 popes, dating back to St. Peter in the first century. 

St. Peter served as the first pope of the Catholic Church, according to the Vatican, beginning in 30 AD until his death sometime between 64 and 68 AD. Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88, was one of the oldest popes ever.

But the oldest pope was Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903 at 93. He served as the 256th pope for 25 years. 

How is a new pope chosen?

5:20 a.m. ET: When the pope dies, the College of Cardinals gathers in a conclave, or secret meeting, to vote for a new pope. A candidate must get two-thirds of the vote to become pope.

Four rounds of balloting take place every day until a candidate receives the necessary number of votes. Read more about the process here. 

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni: 'We say goodbye to a great shepherd’

5 a.m. ET: Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni said the news of Pope Francis’ death "deeply saddens us, as we are saying goodbye to a great man and a great shepherd."

"I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his counsel and his teachings, which never failed me, not even in times of trial and suffering," Meloni said. 

She added that "his teaching and legacy will not be lost. We bid farewell to the Holy Father with hearts full of sorrow, but we know that he is now in the peace of the Lord."

JD Vance on Pope Francis' death: ‘May God rest his soul'

4:45 a.m. ET: U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who met with Pope Francis just a day earlier on Easter Sunday, shared his reaction to learning of the pontiff's death.

"I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him," Vance wrote.

"I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul."

Death of Pope Francis

What we know:

Francis suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man. He was admitted to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. 

He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.

However, he emerged on Easter Sunday — a day before his death — to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square and treated them to a surprise popemobile romp through the piazza, drawing wild cheers and applause.

Francis also met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Easter Sunday, who shared images of their meeting.

Bells tolled in church towers across Rome on Monday after the death announcement.

Pope Francis’ health

Francis has had several health ailments over the years. He had part of one lung removed as a young man and had chronic lung disease, making him prone to developing bronchitis in the winter. 

His most recent hospitalization was his fourth since being named pope in 2013. 

He had other health problems too: He had part of his large intestine removed in 2021, used a wheelchair, cane or walker because of bad knee ligaments and suffered from sciatica nerve pain.

Path to the papacy

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jorge Mario Bergoglio entered this world on June Dec. 17, 1936. He was the oldest of the five children.

He was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1969 and served as Argentina’s provincial superior of the Society of Jesus between 1973 and 1979.

In 1998, he became archbishop of Buenos Aires. Pope Saint John Paul II made him a part of the College of Cardinals in 2001.

When John Paul II died in April 2005, Cardinal Bergoglio became one of the "papabile," a Latin term used to identify a papal candidate.

Ultimately, the College of Cardinals elected Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, who took the name Benedict XVI. Even so, Italian media reported Cardinal Bergoglio finished second on four of the ballots.

In 2013, Benedict XVI resigned the papacy. He became the first Bishop of Rome to resign since Gregory XII did so 598 years prior.

The church needed a new leader. And on the fifth ballot of the 2013 papal conclave, it got one.

Cardinal Bergoglio became the first pope elected from the Americas. He chose the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Pope Francis’ legacy: Modernizing the Catholic Church

When Pope Francis made the first foreign trip of his papacy, to Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day in 2013, he urged young people to make a "mess" in their local churches, to shake things up even if it ruffled the feathers of their bishops.

Through the years, Francis sought to make the Catholic Church more inclusive, making revolutionary changes in personnel and policy that most certainly shook things up. 

"I want to see the church get closer to the people," he said in 2013. "I want to get rid of clericalism, the mundane, this closing ourselves off within ourselves, in our parishes, schools or structures."

He made notable efforts to place women in decision-making roles in the Vatican to serve as models for the rest of the church. And despite the Catholic Church doctrine rejecting same-sex marriage, Pope Francis did far more than any previous pope to make the church a more welcoming place for LGBTQ+ people. 

As archbishop of Buenos Aires, he had favored granting legal protections to same-sex couples as an alternative to endorsing gay marriage, which Catholic doctrine forbids. The Vatican confirmed in 2020 that this was indeed the pope’s belief.

Francis formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, stipulating that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to "an exhaustive moral analysis" to receive it.

In January 2023, Francis assailed the laws on the books in many countries that criminalize homosexuality and called for their elimination. 

"Being homosexual isn’t a crime," Francis said during an interview with The Associated Press.

Another reversal came in late 2023, when the Vatican made public a statement saying it’s permissible, under certain circumstances, for transgender people to be baptized as Catholics and serve as godparents.

The pronouncement reversed the absolute bans on transgender people serving as godparents issued by the Vatican doctrine office in 2015. Among the beneficiaries: a community of transgender women — many of them Latin American migrants who worked in Rome as prostitutes — who made monthly visits to Francis’ weekly general audiences and were given VIP seats.

In December 2024, Pope Francis installed 21 new cardinals, many of whom are key figures in his reform agenda, further cementing his imprint on the group of men who will elect his successor. Francis will have created 110 of the 140 cardinals under 80, thus eligible to vote in a conclave.

Conclave for new pope

What's next:

The next pope will be chosen during the papal conclave, which is the meeting of cardinals to elect a new pope. 

Timeline:

Following the death of a pope, his ring — the Ring of the Fisherman — is destroyed by the Cardinal Camerlengo.

Cardinals from across the globe travel to Rome for the funeral. Traditionally, the funeral takes place between four and six days after the death of the pope.

The remains of His Holiness lie in state for several days before being interred in a crypt. It is customary to observe nine days of mourning after the funeral.

Fifteen days after the pope’s death, a papal conclave convenes and the cardinals are locked inside of Sistine Chapel until a new pontiff has been elected by a two-thirds majority. Cardinals must be under 80 to cast their vote for a new pope.

Onlookers gather, sometimes days at a time, in St. Peter's Square and wait for signs that a new pope has been elected.

Since the 1800s, failed ballots have been marked by black smoke billowing from the chapel’s chimney. Once a new Vicar of Christ is chosen, white smoke will appear from the chimney.

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