Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, following an extended hospitalization for a severe bout of pneumonia. His death came a day after he met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and after delivering his yearly Easter address.

Pope Francis met briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Easter Sunday to exchange Easter greetings. This meeting followed a diplomatic tension over migration and deportation policies. During the visit, Pope Francis gave Vance three large chocolate Easter eggs for his children and other gifts, highlighting a gesture of goodwill despite prior differences.

Tributes poured in from global leaders mourning Pope Francis's passing, remembering his humility and dedication to the Church's core values and marginalized populations. The Vatican announced a nine-day mourning period leading up to the preparations for electing his successor.

Pope Francis was known for transforming the papacy into a pastoral ministry focused on personal encounters, and for his strong stances on poverty, mission, and dialogue. He was notably compassionate towards the sick and imprisoned, outspoken on the excesses of capitalism, climate change, and supportive of marginalized groups including the LGBTQ+ community, which stirred both admiration and controversy.