Pope Francis passes away aged 88

THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK

Vatican City, April 21: Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of over a billion Catholics worldwide, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. He breathed his last at his residence in Casa Santa Marta within the Vatican, as confirmed by an official statement.

Just a day before his death, the Pope had addressed thousands from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, delivering his Easter message and imparting the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing—an exclusive papal benediction that grants remission of sins.

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His public appearance came shortly after a prolonged hospital stay; he had recently been discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital following treatment for a severe infection that progressed to double pneumonia.

Despite his frail health, Pope Francis remained committed to his duties until the very end, offering his final Easter blessing to the city and the world.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, made history as the first Latin American Pope when he assumed the papacy on March 13, 2013. Renowned for his humble lifestyle, progressive outlook, and unwavering commitment to social justice, he reshaped the role of the Catholic Church in the modern world.

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His leadership brought renewed focus to global peace, environmental stewardship, human rights, and interfaith dialogue. His papacy will be remembered as a transformative chapter in the Church’s history.