“At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell wrote in a statement that was published by the Vatican on its Telegram channel, announcing the Pope’s death.
Pope Francis died on Monday, the 21st of April 2025, at the age of 88, the Vatican announced in the morning. Pope Francis, the first Latin American Pope, led the Church from March 2013. During his pontificate, he brought more social justice to the Church, reformed the Roman Curia and the Vatican finances, and tackled the issue of sexual abuse. These moves brought the first Jesuit to lead the Church popularity among the faithful, but also opponents in the Curia.
“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 devoted to service to the Lord and 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, the One and Triune God,” was today’s announcement by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.
Pope Francis gave the Urbi et Orbi blessing to tens of thousands of faithful Christians on Sunday. Around 35,000 believers were present in St Peter’s Square to witness the message. After the message, Francis circled the square in his “popemobile” for about 15 minutes, waving to those gathered in attendance, despite his obvious fatigue.
On the 14th of February 2025, Pope Francis was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Hospital for bronchitis, which later developed into bilateral pneumonia. After 38 days of treatment, he returned to his Vatican residence, but in the meantime, his health gradually deteriorated. He had surgery for a lung infection at a young age and often suffered respiratory problems later in life.
In November 2023, he cancelled a visit to the United Arab Emirates due to his ill health. In April 2024, before his death, Pope Francis approved a new edition of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites. The second edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis contains new rules for the handling of the remains of the Pope and the conduct of the funeral. The emphasis of the rite is on modesty and faith in the resurrection, not on the earthly power of the Pope. Archbishop Diego Ravelli explained that the new rite reflects the Pope’s desire for spiritual focus and a simplification of the ceremonies.
The universal Church is also joined in mourning the Holy Father by the Slovenian bishops and the President of the Slovenian Bishops’ Conference, Bishop monsignor Andrej Saje
“His pontificate has been a bright witness of faith, humility and love for all, especially for the poor and marginalised. Pope Francis has led the Church with a compassionate heart, tirelessly proclaiming the joy of the Gospel and encouraging a life of love and justice,” the Slovenian bishops said in a press release. They recalled that Pope Francis, with his apostolic exhortations, such as “Evangelii gaudium”, “Amoris laetitia”, “Gaudete et exsultate” and “Christus vivit”, had a significant influence on pastoral work, evangelisation, family love, holiness in everyday life and closeness to young people.
In his encyclicals, he exhorted for responsible protection of creation (“Laudato si'”), fraternity and friendship among men (“Fratelli tutti”) and theological reflection on the love of Christ (“Dilexit nos”). The Church in Slovenia has accepted his teachings as a precious heritage and has incorporated them into its ministry, the bishops explained in their press statement, adding that “his paternal presence, his prophetic words and his dedication to the service of the people of God will be remembered. In this time of mourning, we pray for him and entrust him to God’s embrace, hoping that his legacy of love, simplicity and courage will continue to guide the Church.”
In his statement, Bishop Saje thanked the Pope for his life and ministry as successor of the Apostle Peter and pointed out that not only have we lost the supreme leader of the Catholic Church, but also a man who, following the example of Jesus, lived for service, love and peace. During his pontificate, Pope Francis selflessly served the Church and humanity, teaching that faith is closely linked to responsibility towards the world and people. His values of solidarity, respect for dignity and care for the planet have shaped his spiritual mission, Saje explained.
“Pope Francis will also be remembered by Slovenians for having known us during his time in Argentina already. He often took an interest in us. In 1970, while still a Jesuit, he visited Slovenia. He also appointed all the current local bishops in our country. He met with the pastors of the local Church on various occasions. In 2018, he received members of the Slovenian Bishops’ Conference on their official visit ad limina apostolorum to the Vatican. The new Primate of Argentina, Cardinal Vinko Bokalič, the current Metropolitan Archbishop of the Diocese of Santiago del Estero in Argentina, was Bergoglio’s Auxiliary Bishop in Buenos Aires,” he explained.
Pope Francis will be remembered as a man who taught how to be closer to God, how to believe and how to strengthen the hope of eternal life, Saje said, adding what Pope liked to emphasise: “Eternal life begins in this very moment, it begins throughout life, which is directed towards the moment of the final resurrection. And we are already resurrected – in fact, with Baptism, we are incorporated into Christ’s death and resurrection and we share in the new life which is his life.” (Catechesis of the Holy Father at the General Audience, the 4th of December 2013)
On the occasion of his return to the house of the Father, they will pray for his soul, that he may experience God’s love and peace, and ask for the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit in the choice of the new Pope who will lead the Church in the future.
C. Š., T. B.
