Overview

• Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at 7:35 AM in his Vatican residence, as confirmed by an official Vatican statement.
• The pontiff, who had battled severe bilateral pneumonia earlier this year, gave a shortened Urbi et Orbi blessing on Easter Sunday, appearing visibly frail.
• Francis, the first Latin American pope and a reformist leader, served for over 12 years, focusing on social justice, peace, and governance reforms.
• His funeral arrangements include an open-casket viewing at St. Peter's Basilica, with his burial planned at Santa Maria Maggiore per his wishes.
• The Catholic Church enters the sedisvakanz, with a conclave in the Sistine Chapel expected soon to elect the 267th pope.