Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church and Bishop of Rome, died on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed. He passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time at his residence in Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican.

The Pope had a special connection to Costa Rica. According to the Ministry of International Affairs, in January 2023, during a New Year’s audience with the diplomatic corps at the Vatican, Costa Rican representative Amarilli Villegas presented the Pope with a gift from the people of Costa Rica: a handmade rosary by artist Paula Sáenz Soto featuring the image of the Virgin of the Angels, along with packages of Costa Rican coffee. Pope Francis expressed his gratitude with a smile, saying, “Costa Rica, the best coffee in the world!”

"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,"  Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, said. "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."

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the first pontiff from the Americas and the first Jesuit pope. His papacy, which began in March 2013, was marked by a focus on humility, compassion, and advocacy for the poor and marginalized.

In February 2025, the Pope was admitted to Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital after suffering from bronchitis. On February 18, doctors diagnosed him with bilateral pneumonia, and although his condition stabilized, his health continued to decline.

After 38 days of hospitalization, he returned to Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery. His respiratory health had been fragile for decades; in 1957, as a young man, he had part of a lung removed due to a severe infection. In recent years, he suffered from frequent respiratory illnesses and canceled several events, including a planned visit to the United Arab Emirates in November 2023 due to influenza and lung inflammation.

In April 2024, Pope Francis approved an updated version of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites, the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis. The revised edition outlines new procedures, including the transfer of the Pope’s body to a chapel immediately after death, instead of remaining in the room where he passed away.

According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, Pope Francis had requested a simplified funeral emphasizing faith in the Risen Christ.

“The renewed rite,” said Ravelli, “seeks to emphasize even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ, and not of a powerful person of this world.”

Funeral details have yet to be announced.