Pope Francis Dies At 88 After Poignant Final Easter Blessing

/ "Christ is risen!" — Pontiff's Last Words Echo Hope Amid Global Turmoil

Vatican City – In a deeply emotional and symbolic act of devotion, Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away today at the age of 88—just hours after delivering his final Easter message to a crowd of 35,000 faithful at St. Peter’s Basilica.

Pope Francis passes away at 88 after delivering a moving Easter message;
his final words touch hearts.

Although visibly frail and heavily assisted by aides, Francis made a brief yet powerful appearance on the papal balcony on Easter Sunday. While he did not personally deliver the Easter Mass or the Urbi et Orbi blessing due to his health, he watched closely as Archbishop Diego Ravelli read it on his behalf.

Despite being weakened from a recent bout with pneumonia, the Holy Father used social media just hours before his death to issue one final message:

“Christ is risen! These words capture the entire meaning of our existence, for we were not made for death but for life.”

Francis’s Easter benediction urged global leaders to stop "sowing seeds of death" and instead wield "weapons of peace." He called for:

• An end to war and political violence

• The release of prisoners of war and political detainees

• Protection of the vulnerable, including women, children, migrants, and the marginalized

“Let us renew our hope that peace is possible,” he wrote.

Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church since March 2013, had battled declining health for years. He was hospitalized for 38 days in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital earlier this year with double pneumonia, before being released under "protected discharge" on March 23, 2025.

Though clearly in pain, the beloved pontiff surprised many by touring the piazza in the Popemobile on Easter Sunday, drawing waves of cheers from the crowd.

He also held a brief and private meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance at Casa Santa Marta earlier that day.

Pope Francis—born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina—will be remembered for:

• His advocacy for peace, social justice, and interfaith dialogue

• Deep compassion for migrants and the poor

• Groundbreaking positions on climate change and economic inequality

• Championing humility and mercy within the Church

As the world mourns the passing of a humble spiritual giant, Pope Francis leaves behind a message that may well define his papacy:

“We were not made for death, but for life.”