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Date and Circumstances of the Pope's Death
Pope Francis, the 266th Bishop of Rome and a transformative figure in modern Catholicism, passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. His death occurred on Easter Monday, a profoundly symbolic day in the Christian faith celebrating resurrection and hope.
The cause was a severe stroke, which led to rapid complications culminating in cardiac failure. He died peacefully at Casa Santa Marta, the residence he famously chose over the grand Apostolic Palace to embody his philosophy of modesty.
The Pope’s passing triggered a global outpouring of grief, with tributes flowing in from across religious, political, and social spectrums — highlighting his impact not just within the Catholic Church but across the world stage.
Lying in State at St. Peter’s Basilica
Following his death, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis’s body would lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica from April 23 to April 25, 2025. During these three days, more than 250,000 mourners visited to pay their respects.
The lines outside the basilica stretched for miles, demonstrating the deep love and admiration Pope Francis had garnered globally. Notably, the Vatican extended viewing hours to accommodate the vast crowds, with special provisions made for marginalized groups he often championed — migrants, refugees, and the homeless.
Emotional scenes unfolded as worshippers, clergy, and global dignitaries queued, some weeping openly, many clutching rosaries or photos of the Pope.
Funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square
On April 26, 2025, a grand Funeral Mass was held in St. Peter’s Square, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals.
The event was attended by over 160 international delegations, including 54 heads of state and 12 monarchs, making it one of the most significant religious gatherings of the decade. Among those present were U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Prince William.
In line with Pope Francis's enduring legacy of inclusion, readings and prayers were conducted in multiple languages, and representatives from historically marginalized communities were given places of honor during the rites. This unprecedented diversity honored Francis’s vision of a Church that belonged to all people, not just the privileged few.
The Unusual Burial at Basilica of St. Mary Major
In a rare departure from tradition, Pope Francis had earlier requested to be buried not under St. Peter’s Basilica, but at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome — a church deeply tied to his personal spirituality.
Throughout his papacy, he often visited the Salus Populi Romani icon housed there, entrusting his journeys and missions to the protection of the Virgin Mary.
Thus, on the evening of April 26, after a private rite attended by his closest aides, his body was interred at St. Mary Major, marking the first papal burial outside the Vatican in over a century — the last being Pope Clement IX in 1669.
Tomb Details: Simple and Symbolic
Pope Francis’s tomb is a reflection of his life: humble, understated, and rooted in devotion.
The tomb is crafted from simple Ligurian marble, symbolically sourced from the birthplace of his maternal ancestors.
The only inscription is a single word: "Franciscus".
There is no elaborate sarcophagus, no grandiose epitaph.
A modest replica of his personal pectoral cross lies embedded on the tomb slab.
It is located near the Salus Populi Romani — a final resting place under the loving gaze of the Virgin Mary he revered so deeply.
His choice further underscored his wish that even in death, he would remain a “servant among servants.”
How Many Popes Have Died Since 1900?
Since 1900, ten popes have died, including:
Pope Leo XIII (1903)
Pope Pius X (1914)
Pope Benedict XV (1922)
Pope Pius XI (1939)
Pope Pius XII (1958)
Pope John XXIII (1963)
Pope Paul VI (1978)
Pope John Paul I (1978) – who reigned for just 33 days
Pope John Paul II (2005)
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (2022)
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Pope Francis's death adds to this historic list, each pontiff leaving distinct marks on the history and soul of the Church.
Rituals Conducted Upon the Death of a Pope
The Catholic Church follows a meticulous series of rituals upon the death of a pope:
The "Rogito" Document — a historical record of the pope’s life, sealed within his coffin.
Sealing of the Papal Ring — the Fisherman’s Ring is defaced and destroyed to symbolize the end of his reign.
Nine Days of Mourning (Novemdiales) — solemn Masses are celebrated each day.
Conclave Preparation — cardinals gather to elect a new pope unless a successor already reigns.
Public Funeral and Private Burial — blending liturgical grandeur with moments of intimate reflection.
In Pope Francis’s case, some traditions were modified — a testament to the evolving nature of the papacy he so boldly reshaped.
Where Future Popes Might Be Buried
With Pope Francis’s groundbreaking burial outside the Vatican, future popes may now feel freer to choose more personal or spiritually meaningful sites for their final resting places — a symbolic shift that opens new possibilities beyond St. Peter’s crypt.
As for Pope Francis, he now eternally rests within the comforting embrace of Our Lady, as he had often wished.
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