Pope Francis Death: Pope Francis' Rite Of Ascertainment Of Death Today, Eiffel Tower To Go Dark On Monday

Secretary-general of the UN António Guterres has also paid tribute to Pope Francis.

He posted on X and said: "I join the world in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a messenger of hope, humility and humanity. Pope Francis was a transcendent voice for peace, human dignity and social justice. My deepest condolences to Catholics and all those around the world inspired by his extraordinary life and example."

Pope Francis, passed away at the age of 88, His death marks the end of a papacy that redefined the role of the Pope in the modern world, emphasising humility, social justice, and the need for reform within the Catholic Church. 

As per reprots, Francis the Pope died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.

The first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church did not attend the annual Good Friday procession for the third year in a row. The Pope made a brief appearance at a private meeting with US's Vice President JD Vance on Sunday morning.

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88. The news was confirmed by the Vatican. As per this, the Pope died on Monday at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.

The Pope was in a critical state as he battled respiratory complications at Rome's Gemelli Hospital. His ill health cast uncertainty over the Holy Year and the Catholic Church.

With the Pope now no more, one question comes to everyone's mind - who will replace the Pope?

But first, here's a look at what the Vatican says about choosing a new pope. Read Here

Pope Francis was in every way a man of the people, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said in a statement on X.

"The global Catholic community bids farewell to a leader who recognised the burning issues of our day and called attention to them. 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," Schoof said.

Iran offers condolences after death of Pope Francis.

We have the first reactions to the news of the pontiff라이브 바카라 death.

Germany라이브 바카라 chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, said Pope Francis would be remembered for his tireless commitment to society라이브 바카라 weakest members.

“He was guided by humility and faith in God라이브 바카라 mercy,” Merz said in a social media post.

French President Emmanuel Macron said that throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis had always sided with the most vulnerable and the most fragile, and that he did this with a lot of humility.
“In this time of war and brutality, he had a sense for the other, for the most fragile,” Macron told the Guardian.

Pope Francis was a man of deep faith, peace and compassion who fostered ties with the Jewish world, Israel라이브 바카라 President Isaac Herzog said.

In a statement on X, he described Pope Francis as: A man of deep faith and boundless compassion, he dedicated his life to uplifting the poor and calling for peace in a troubled world.I truly hope that his prayers for peace in the Middle East and for the safe return of the hostages (in Gaza) will soon be answered.

Pope Francis, 88, came out in a wheelchair and waved from the balcony of St Peter라이브 바카라 Basilica saying to the crowds: "Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter."

However, his Easter address was delivered by a clergy member. The Pope was then driven around the square.

Last month, Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital after five weeks of treatment for double pneumonia.

PM Modi Extends Condolences to Pope. In a statement on platform X, he said, "Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community."

"Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world. From a young age, he devoted himself towards realising the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden," he said.

"For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope. I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God라이브 바카라 embrace, he added."

Congress Leader Shashi Tharoor on the demise of Pope Francis said, "Mourning the passing of Pontiff Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at 88, according to a Vatican announcement."

Iran라이브 바카라 Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, said he offered "condolences to all Christians around the world". Iran, a Muslim-majority country, maintains close ties with the Vatican.

United States Vice President JD Vance, who is on an India visit, has offered his condolences to Pope Francis.

On a microblogging website X, he wrote,"I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him."

"I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul," he added.

"I mourn the passing of Pope Francis. His commitment to peace, social justice, and the most vulnerable leaves a profound legacy. Rest in peace.

Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis (CER), has conveyed the CER라이브 바카라 deep sorrow to the Holy See on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, the Guardian reported.

Chief Rabbi Goldschmidt remembers Pope Francis라이브 바카라 unwavering dedication to promoting peace and goodwill worldwide. He also fondly recalls his many meetings with the Pope and his efforts to strengthen Catholic-Jewish relations, including their meeting at the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the 1965 Declaration of the Second Vatican Council that profoundly transformed interfaith dialogue.

Ethiopia라이브 바카라 Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said he extends his “deepest condolences on the passing of Pope Francis”.

This is what Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who oversees Vatican Church affairs, said in his announcement to the world about the pope라이브 바카라 death.

"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 favour of the poorest and most marginalised. 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."

Kenya라이브 바카라 president William Ruto has paid tribute on X: We join the Catholic Church and the global Christian community in mourning the passing of Pope Francis.This is a big loss to the Catholic faithful and the Christian world. Pope Francis will be remembered for a life dedicated to serving the Lord, the Church, and humanity."

"He exemplified servant leadership through his humility, his unwavering commitment to inclusivity and justice, and his deep compassion for the poor and the vulnerable.His strong ethical and moral convictions inspired millions across the world, regardless of faith or background.May his soul Rest in Eternal Peace."

Citing Taiwan라이브 바카라 Ministry Of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, the Guardian said, "Due to the profound friendship between Taiwan and the Vatican, in addition to sending officials of appropriate levels as special envoys to attend the Pope라이브 바카라 funeral, senior government officials will also attend the memorial mass held by the Vatican라이브 바카라 Embassy in Taiwan to express the deepest condolences of the Taiwanese people, Catholic believers, and the government."

"His humility and concern for all humanity, especially his active call for world peace, will always remain in the hearts of our people and government. In this moment of sorrow, our people, Catholics and the government mourn together."

The former UK prime minister, Tony Blair said, "Pope Francis was an extraordinary and devoted servant of the Catholic Church, admired both within and beyond it for his humility, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the Christian faith and the service of all humanity-Christian and non-Christian alike."

People begin gathering at St Peter라이브 바카라 Square following Pope Francis라이브 바카라 death, Al Jazeera reported.

As per the reports, Argentina presidency office said that it deeply "regretted" the death of Pope Francis, the first Argentine leader of the global Catholic Church.

President Javier Milei, who previously clashed with the pope but patched things up after taking office, praised his focus on inter-religious dialogue, building up spirituality amongst the young and his focus on cost-cutting in the Vatican.

Poland라이브 바카라 Prime Minister Donald Tusk, paid tribute to the pontiff, saying "a good, warm and sensitive man. May he rest in peace."

"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," King Charles said in a statement.

He said, "the Philippines joins the Catholic community worldwide in grieving the loss of His Holiness Pope Francis. A man of profound faith and humility, Pope Francis led not only with wisdom but with a heart open to all, especially the poor and the forgotten."

"By example, Pope Francis taught us that to be a good Christian is to extend kindness and care to one another. His humility brought many back to the fold of the Church."

"As we mourn his passing, we honor a life that brought hope and compassion to so many, and inspired us to love one another as Christ loved us. It is a profoundly sad day."

Pope Francis, the Bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church, passed away on Monday. The Pope, who was suffering from respiratory issues and double pneumonia, passed away at his residence Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.

Pope Francis was the first non-European Pope of the Catholic Church. He was elected to lead the Catholic Church in March 2023 after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Read Here

No official announcement has been made yet, but when a pope dies — a period known as "sede vacante," or "vacant seat" — a precise sequence of events is triggered.

These include the confirmation of death in the pontiff라이브 바카라 home, the transfer of his coffin to St Peter라이브 바카라 Basilica for public viewing, a funeral Mass and burial.

Interment must take place between the fourth and sixth day after his death.

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa offered his “deep condolences” to Catholics in the country and worldwide.

He said in a statement: “Catholics and people of all faiths are saddened today by the passing of a spiritual leader who sought to unite humanity and wished to see a world governed by fundamental human values.

“As the leader of the Church and a global figurehead, Pope Francis advanced a world view of inclusion, equality and care for marginalised individuals and groups, as well as responsible and sustainable custody of the natural environment.”

The Eiffel Tower's landmark illuminations will be switched off on Monday night in memory of Pope Francis who died aged 88, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo said.

City hall was planning to name a site in the French capital after Francis who, she said, had placed "ecology at the centre of spiritual concerns" and had argued in favour of "welcoming refugees".

The official X account of State of Palestine remembered the Pope and said: "Today, Palestine has lost a loyal friend to the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights, a strong defender of the values of peace, love, and faith in the entire world, and a true friend of peace and justice."

Cardinals Timothy Radcliffe and Vincent Nichols appeared to rule themselves out of becoming the next pope.

Speaking at a press conference in London on Monday, the pair were asked about the possibilities of either of them becoming a new pontiff.

Cardinal Radcliffe, who is aged 79, told reporters: “I believe the Holy Spirit is far too wise to even think of me for the shortest moment.”

Cardinal Nichols, who will be 80 in November, said he is “too old, not capable”. He added: “I’ll go quite peacefully.”

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday expressed sorrow on the demise of Pope Francis who passed away at the age of 88.

“It is with deep sorrow that I extend my heartfelt condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka. His unwavering commitment to peace compassion and humanity has left an indelible mark on the world,” he said in a statement.

“May his legacy of compassion justice and interfaith harmony continue to inspire generations to come”, it added. 

Pope Francis, the first non-European pope in 1,300 years, figured in many films and documentaries centred on him and exploring his extraordinary legacy.

He was the first pope to play a cameo in the 2017 film "Beyond the Sun", which was directed by Graciela Rodriguez Gilio and Charlie Mainardi and revolved around stories of hope, faith and courage from the Bible.

German filmmaker Wim Wenders famously explored the late Pope's life in his 2018 documentary "Pope Francis: A Man of His Word".

The documentary premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. It features the Pope addressing various global issues, aiming to connect directly with viewers.

Bhopal Archbishop Durairaj on Monday condoled the death of Pope Francis and said his passing away was an immense loss not only for the Catholic community but for the entire world.

"I had the great blessing of meeting Pope Francis personally. His presence left a lasting impression on me. There was something deeply spiritual about him. His humility, compassion, and humanity were profoundly moving," said Archbishop Durairaj, who is also president of the Council of Bishops of MP.

"He consistently advocated for welcoming refugees, urged global leaders to end wars, and reminded all of us of the sacredness of life and the importance of protecting our common home. As the Archbishop of Bhopal, I feel compelled to reflect on his remarkable life, his impactful works, and his extraordinary personality," he said.

The Congress on Monday condoled the passing of Pope Francis, with Rahul Gandhi saying he stood by the downtrodden and the marginalised, spoke fearlessly against inequality, and inspired millions across faiths with his message of love and humanity.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed sadness over the passing of the pontiff, whom he described as a consistent champion of inter-religious understanding and an influential force for global peace and harmony.

Pope Francis's love for India was evident throughout his papacy as he always spoke fondly of the country's spiritual heritage, said Father Ajit Kumar Xess, SJ, of the Provincial Ranchi Jesuits on Monday.

Xess who had called on the Pope a few years ago said Francis was simple, humble and deeply connected to the people and his legacy will continue to inspire all.

"Pope Francis chose not to reside in the Apostolic Palace, but in a modest dwelling, reflecting his commitment to live close to the poor and the marginalised. His leadership style was marked by authenticity and compassion," said Xess.

Stating that Francis had empathised with the sick, poor, prisoners and those often forgotten by society, Xess recalled how the Pope washed the feet of prisoners on Holy Thursday, visited hospitals, and constantly reminded the Church to be a 'field hospital' for the wounded.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of the ascertainment of death of Pope Francis and placement of his body in the coffin on Monday evening. The rite will take place in the Chapel of the Vatican라이브 바카라 Casa Santa Marta at 8:00 PM (GMT +2).

The Holy See Press Office indicated that those present will include the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, and family members of the late Pope Francis, along with Dr. Andrea Arcangeli and Dr. Luigi Carbone, the Director and Deputy Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene, respectively. Separately, the Press Office announced that the canonization Mass for Blessed Carlo Acutis has been temporarily suspended due to the death of Pope Francis.

The Eucharistic celebration and canonization rite had been scheduled for Sunday, April 27, on the Second Sunday of Easter, also celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday.