Pope Francis, whose time as head of the Catholic Church was noted for humility and outreach efforts to people of disparate backgrounds and faiths, has died at 88, the Vatican said.
The pontiff's funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, according to the Vatican. Francis' death on Monday came after a series of worsening health problems, including a diagnosis of double pneumonia that put him in the hospital for more than a month earlier this year.
Watch ABC News live coverage of the funeral for Pope Francis on Saturday starting at 3:30 a.m. ET on ABC stations and streaming on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu.
Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Apr 21, 2025, 6:05 AM EDT
Pope Francis, everyman leader of the Roman Catholic Church, dies at 88
Pope Francis, whose time as head of the Catholic Church was noted for an everyman humility and outreach efforts to people of disparate backgrounds and faiths, has died at 88, the Vatican has confirmed.
"At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church," Cardinal Kevin Farrell said on Monday.
Pope Francis was hospitalized for just over five weeks beginning in February 2025 to address what the Vatican initially said was a respiratory tract infection, for which he began receiving treatment. Four days after his hospitalization, the Vatican revealed that Francis had been diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia.
Tributes to Pope Francis poured in on Monday, as presidents, prime ministers and other world leaders reacted to the news of his death.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Francis for wanting “Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest.”
"From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest. May it unite people with each other and with nature. May this hope continually revive beyond him,” Macron said in a statement in French. “My wife and I send our thoughts to all Catholics and to the grieving world."
Nuns stand in St. Peter's Square, after the death of Pope Francis was announced by the Vatican in a video statement, at the Vatican, April 21, 2025.
Yara Nardi/Reuters
Israeli President Isaac Herzog hailed the pontiff’s "boundless compassion,” saying he sent his “deepest condolences to the Christian world.
“A man of deep faith and boundless compassion, he dedicated his life to uplifting the poor and calling for peace in a troubled world,” Herzog’s statement read in part.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said Francis’ "contagious smile captured millions of people’s hearts across the globe"
"Europe mourns the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. His contagious smile captured millions of people’s hearts across the globe,” he said. “‘The People’s Pope’ will be remembered for his love for life, hope for peace, compassion for equality & social justice. May he rest in peace."
Pope Francis appears on the central lodge of St. Peter's Basilica to bestow the Urbi et Orbi blessing at the end of the Easter mass presided over by Cardinal Angelo Comastri in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Sunday, April 20, 2025.
Gregorio Borgia/AP
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said Francis was "a leader who recognised the burning issues of our day and called attention to them” “and that he was “in every way a man of the people.”
“The global Catholic community bids farewell to a leader who recognised the burning issues of our day and called attention to them,” Schoof said. “With his sober way of life, acts of service and compassion, Pope Francis was a role model for many – Catholics and non-Catholics alike. We remember him with great respect."
-ABC News’ Somayeh Malekian
Apr 21, 2025, 5:18 AM EDT
Pope Francis’ death announced by Vatican
The death of Pope Francis, 88, was announced Monday by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who serves as camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.
"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis," Farrell said in a statement.
This photo taken and handout on April 21, 2025, by The Vatican Media shows cardinal Kevin Farrell, camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, announcing the death of Pope Francis in The Vatican.
Vatican Media/AFP via Getty Images
He continued: "At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.
Pope Francis appears on the central lodge of St. Peter's Basilica to bestow the Urbi et Orbi blessing at the end of the Easter mass presided over by Cardinal Angelo Comastri in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Sunday, April 20, 2025.
Andrew Medichini/AP
"He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favor 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 of the One and Triune God."
