Pope Francis Dead at 88: Latest Updates As Tributes Pour In

07:16 AM EDT

Putin sends letter of condolences

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2019.
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2019.
Alexei Druzhinin / Sputnik via AP

In a letter of condolences, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted the pope’s international clout as a “consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice.”

Putin said that the pope “actively encouraged the development of a dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Churches, as well as constructive interaction between Russia and the Holy See.”

06:52 AM EDT

Italy’s prime minister: “His legacy will not be lost”

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her condolences for the death of the pontiff, mourning the loss of “a great man” as well as that of a great pastor.

“He asked the world, once again, for the courage to change course, to follow a path that ‘does not destroy, but cultivates, repairs, safeguards’,” she wrote on X.

“We will walk in this direction, to seek a path of peace, pursue the common good, and build a more just and equitable society. His magisterium and his legacy will not be lost.”

06:45 AM EDT

How the world reacted the last time a pope died in office

The last time a pope died in office was Pope John Paul II, who passed away on April 2, 2005, after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease and other ailments.

His death triggered a massive global reaction, as he had been one of the most influential and beloved popes in modern history. Millions of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square and across the world to mourn.

Flags were lowered to half-mast, and world leaders, including U.S. President George W. Bush, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, expressed their condolences.

His funeral on April 8, 2005, was attended by an estimated four million people in Rome and watched by over two billion worldwide. It was one of the largest Christian gatherings in history, with dignitaries from over 100 countries.

Mourners in St. Peter’s Square chanted “Santo Subito!” (“Sainthood Now!”), leading to his fast-tracked canonization in 2014.

Read more about Pope Francis’ funeral plans.

06:35 AM EDT

Hamas calls Pope Francis “a steadfast advocate for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people”

The pope’s final Easter message called for peace in global conflicts, particularly the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Speaking directly to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Francis said Israel’s war there “causes death and destruction” and described a “deplorable humanitarian situation.”

Hamas, the militant group that maintains political and military control over Gaza, on Monday released a statement paying tribute to the pontiff:

“Today, the world mourns the passing of a prominent global religious figure, His Holiness Pope Francis, the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, who dedicated his papacy to fostering interfaith dialogue and promoting peace across the globe.

Pope Francis was a steadfast advocate for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, particularly in his unwavering stance against the war and acts of genocide perpetrated against our people in Gaza in recent months.

Undoubtedly, the loss of such a significant and committed figure leaves a profound void that will be difficult to fill.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, and all his followers around the world.”

06:26 AM EDT

A pope of many firsts

Pope Francis achieved several notable “firsts” in the history of the papacy. Here are some of the most significant:

First Jesuit Pope: He was the first member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) to be elected pope.
First Pope from the Americas: Hailing from Argentina, he was the first pope from the Americas.
First Pope from the Southern Hemisphere: He was the first pope born in the Southern Hemisphere.
First Pope Named Francis: He chose the papal name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.
First Pope Since 1914 to Live Outside the Apostolic Palace: Opting for a simpler lifestyle, he resided in the Casa Santa Marta guesthouse within Vatican City instead of the traditional papal apartments.
First Pope to Wash the Feet of Women and Non-Christians in the Holy Thursday Ritual: In 2013, he included women and Muslims in the Holy Thursday foot-washing ceremony, breaking traditional norms.
First Pope to Advocate for Civil Unions for Same-Sex Couples: In 2020, he expressed support for civil unions for same-sex couples, a stance unprecedented for a pope.
First Pope to Address Climate Change Extensively in an Encyclical: His 2015 encyclical, “Laudato Si’,” focuses on environmental issues and the urgency of addressing climate change.
First Pope to Visit the Arabian Peninsula: In 2019, he made a historic visit to the United Arab Emirates, marking a significant step in interfaith relations with Islam.
First Pope to Visit Iraq: In 2021, he undertook a historic visit to Iraq, including a meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

06:21 AM EDT

World leaders continue sending tributes to Francis

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen joined world leaders in the “profound loss” caused by the pope’s passing, saying that Francis “inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate.”

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on X that he was “deeply saddened” to hear of the pope’s death. “His tireless efforts to promote a world that is fairer for all will leave a lasting legacy.”

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on X: “I mourn the passing of Pope Francis. His commitment to peace, social justice, and the most vulnerable leaves a profound legacy. Rest in peace.”

India’s President Narendra Modi said he was “deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis,” adding that he will “always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world.” Modi shared several pictures of his meetings with the pope, saying he recalls them “fondly” and “was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development.”

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Pope Francis was “a kind, warm, and compassionate person.”

Egypt’s President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi called him “a voice of peace, love and compassion,” as well as “a champion of the Palestinian cause, defending legitimate rights and calling for an end to conflict”.

06:15 AM EDT

Who are the frontrunners to succeed Pope Francis?

The next pope will inherit a Church at a crossroads—one grappling with declining influence in Europe and North America, growth in the Global South and ongoing internal debates about its future.

But who will it be? As speculation builds, several high-ranking cardinals have emerged as top contenders.

According to bookmakers, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines is the favorite.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle attends a Mass with newly appointed cardinals presided by Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica on December 08, 2024 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Francis on Saturday, presiding at Holy Mass…
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle attends a Mass with newly appointed cardinals presided by Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica on December 08, 2024 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Francis on Saturday, presiding at Holy Mass for the Ordinary Public Consistory for the Creation of New Cardinals, encouraged the group of twenty-one new cardinals from across the globe to “walk in the way of Jesus: together, with humility, wonder and joy.”
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Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images

Here’s a closer look at him and the other leading candidates.

06:09 AM EDT

Religious leaders remember a “holy man” who was also “very human”

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, the acting head of the Church of England, who met Pope Francis in 2023, paid tribute to a “holy man of God” who was “also very human.”

In a statement shared on Monday, Cottrell praised Francis’ efforts to fight for the most vulnerable, and his efforts to resolve religious differences across the world.

“We saw that compellingly in Francis’s service of the poor, his love of neighbor especially the displaced, migrant, the asylum seeker, his deep compassion for the well-being of the earth and his desire to lead and build the church in new ways,” he said.

“I remember, in the brief times I spent with him, how this holy man of God was also very human. He was witty, lively, good to be with, and the warmth of his personality and interest in others shone out from him. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.”

Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh Leo Cushley said Francis shared “Christ’s mercy and compassion to all, especially the poor and the vulnerable.”

He added: “He called for peace on earth: may the living Lord now grant him the peace of eternal rest.”

Moscow’s Patriarchate praised Francis as having played a “significant role in active development of contacts between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church,” as reported by the Russian news agency Tass.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem announced a mass in Francis’ honor at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre on Wednesday.

06:01 AM EDT

Watch: View of St. Peter’s Square following the death of Pope Francis

05:55 AM EDT

Britain’s King Charles releases statement: “Heavy hearts”

The U.K.’s King Charles III released a statement on Monday following the death of Pope Francis, who he met along with Queen Camilla earlier in April.

Read the king’s full statement below:

“My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis. Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry.

His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others. His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world. Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.

The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month. We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ.”

05:46 AM EDT

Vance says his heart “goes out” to millions of Christians around the world

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who saw the pope on Sunday, said he has just learned of his passing.

“My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill.”

It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul,” the vice president added.

05:27 AM EDT

Pope Francis was one of the oldest pontiffs when he died

Historical records are bit patchy – the papacy goes back to medieval times after all – but at the age of 88, Francis was likely the second oldest serving pope in history when he died, according to catholic-hierarchy.org.

Here are the 10 oldest popes in history whose birth and death dates are recorded:

Leo XIII (died in 1903) – 93 years, 140 days
Francis (died in 2025) – 88 years, 126 days
Clement XII (died in 1740) – 87 years, 305 days
Clement X (died in 1676) – 86 years, 9 days
Benedict XVI (resigned in 2013) – 85 years, 318 days (died in 2022 aged 95)
Pius IX (died in 1878) – 85 years, 270 days
Innocent XII (died in 1700) – 85 years, 107 days
John Paul II (died in 2005) – 84 years, 319 days
Gregory XIII (died in 1585) – 83 years, 92 days
Paul IV (died in 1559) – 83 years, 51 days

There is some dispute about whether Agatho, who was pope in the late 600s, lived to the age of 107, with historians believing that—despite church records—he might have been confused with a similarly named monk.

05:12 AM EDT

Italy’s soccer league cancels Monday matches

Serie A, the Italian soccer league, canceled all its games scheduled for Monday.

The four matches—Torino-Udinese; Cagliari-Fiorentina; Genoa-Lazio; and Parma-Juventus—will be postponed to a date yet to be determined.

Pope Francis was a lifelong soccer fan.

05:06 AM EDT

Watch: U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with Pope Francis day before the pontiff’s death

05:00 AM EDT

Who have been the longest serving popes?

Francis led the Catholic Church for nearly 12 years, which is above average for a papal reign but nowhere close to a record. Here are the 10 longest serving popes in recorded history:

Pius IX (1846–1878) – 31 years, 7 months, 23 days
John Paul II (1978–2005) – 26 years, 5 months, 18 days
Leo XIII (1878–1903) – 25 years, 5 months, 1 day
Pius VI (1775–1799) – 24 years, 6 months, 15 days
Adrian I (772–795) – 23 years, 10 months, 25 days
Pius VII (1800–1823) – 23 years, 5 months, 7 days
Alexander III (1159–1181) – 21 years, 11 months, 24 days
St. Sylvester I (314–335) – 21 years, 11 months, 1 day
Leo I (Leo the Great) (440–461) – 21 years, 1 month, 13 days
Urban VIII (1623–1644) – 20 years, 11 months, 24 days

The average papal reign is approximately 7.5 years, according to catholic-hierarchy.org.

04:48 AM EDT

Pope Francis: His life in photos

In this photo circa 1976, from left to right, Victor Zorzin, rector of the School Maximo, Andres Swinnen, Teacher of the novices, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, province superior, Carlos Cravena, Minister of the School Maximo, and…
In this photo circa 1976, from left to right, Victor Zorzin, rector of the School Maximo, Andres Swinnen, Teacher of the novices, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, province superior, Carlos Cravena, Minister of the School Maximo, and Hipolito Salvo, ex- provincial in Argentina.ictor Zorzin (right), rector of the School Maximo, Andres Swinnen, Teacher of the novices, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, province superior, Carlos Cravena, Minister of the School Maximo, and Hipolito Salvo, ex- provincial in Argentina.
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API/GAMMA/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

From his humble beginnings in Argentina to his tenure as a pope focused on social justice, interfaith dialogue and church reform, Francis’ life has been defined by historic milestones and significant challenges.

See his life in photos here.

04:43 AM EDT

Tributes start to pour in from world leaders

“Pope Francis was a man of humility,” said French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof called the pope a “role model for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.”

Israel President Isaac Herzog described him as “a man of deep faith and boundless compassion” who “saw great importance in fostering strong ties with the Jewish world and in advancing interfaith dialogue as a path toward greater understanding and mutual respect.”

04:33 AM EDT

How Pope Francis radically reshaped the Catholic Church: “Tectonic shift”

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was a man of many firsts. When the white smoke arose from the Sistine Chapel more than a decade ago, he became the first pope from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first to be a member of the Jesuit Order.

The unorthodox nature of his papacy extended beyond his election by the conclave in 2013. Francis’ headlining changes were a softening of the Church’s stance on homosexuality and contraception, an openness to women carrying out leadership positions within the church, and a rejection of the affluent trappings often associated with the Bishop of Rome.

“His election in 2013 will be seen as a kind of tectonic shift in the life of the Church,” Michael Sean Winters, a longtime writer for the National Catholic Reporter told Newsweek.

Read more about how Francis changed the Catholic Church.

04:25 AM EDT

Final X post from the pope’s official account

Pope Francis’ final post on X, formerly Twitter, was a message of celebration on Easter Sunday.

04:21 AM EDT

Pope Francis met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Sunday

Pope Francis meets with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and delegation during an audience at Casa Santa Marta on April 20, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican.
Pope Francis meets with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and delegation during an audience at Casa Santa Marta on April 20, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican.
Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images

A day before he died, the pope had a brief private meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance in the Vatican.

The meeting came amid tension between U.S. President Donald Trump‘s administration and the Vatican. Francis had criticized the president’s stance on immigration in the past.

Vance attended a summit with Vatican officials on Saturday—but not the pope himself—which had prompted some to suggest the vice president had been “snubbed” by the head of the Catholic Church.

Read more from Newsweek

04:15 AM EDT

Pope Francis obituary: Humble reformer who clashed with conservatives

Pope Francis had battled health problems throughout his life with bravery and good humor. It was a life that took him from an impoverished childhood in Buenos Aires to leader of the Catholic Church’s 1.3 billion believers as the 266th pope.

To his supporters, he was a principled reformer who strove to modernize the Church and make it more relevant to a fast-changing world. He was also seen by many as heralding a new era for Catholicism, and a man whose momentous decisions will go down in history but who lived with an unwavering humility and kindness.

His conservative critics attacked many of those momentous decisions, such as the blessing of homosexual couples and reform of the Roman Curia. He also faced accusations of both authoritarianism and of not doing enough to tackle clerical sexual abuse.

Read Newsweek’s full obituary here.

04:12 AM EDT

Vatican announces death of Pope Francis

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced on Monday morning that Pope Francis has died, aged 88.

“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. 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 of His Church. 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.”

Read more about the camerlengo.