Pope Francis, the 266th and current pope of the Catholic Church, passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. He died in his residence at Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City, following complications from a cerebral stroke and cardiac arrest.

The Vatican has released the first photos that show Pope Francis lying in state after the head of the Catholic church died on Easter Monday.

Pope Francis‘ death came weeks after he was hospitalized for bronchial and pneumonia-related setbacks, but the late pontiff still returned to his duties. After delivering his annual Easter prayer to the public,