Pope Francis, the 266th head of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. According to Vatican sources, he died at 7:35 a.m. local time at Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City, after a prolonged illness. He was last seen publicly during Easter celebrations. Following his death, the Vatican has declared nine days of mourning, with 14 days of global mourning across the Catholic community.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis became the first Latin American and the first non-European pope in over a millennium when he succeeded Pope Benedict XVI in 2013. Known for his humility and commitment to social justice, he championed the rights of the poor and vulnerable throughout his papacy.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via social media, stating that Pope Francis will be remembered as a symbol of compassion, humility, and spiritual courage. PM Modi recalled the Pope’s message of hope for the underprivileged and his positive vision for global development, including his outreach to India.
