The Death of Pope Francis

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday 21st April 2025. Church bells have been ringing out around the world and many flags are flying at half mast. Here in the United Kingdom - the Union flag will fly at half mast at royal residences when King Charles is not present.

Spain has declared three days of official mourning, Brazil seven days and in the Pope’s native Argentina - a week long period.

Pope Francis was the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church. Throughout all his teaching and preaching he constantly asked people to remember the poor. He did not like pomp and circumstance. He wanted the church to be for the people. He said people are the church not the Clergy, Bishops or Cardinals.

He was most distressed by the wars in the world at the moment in Ukraine and Gaza. Every day he phoned a priest in Gaza to encourage him and his community and desired to have peace in the world.

The body of Pope Francis will be laid in a coffin in the chapel at his Saint Martha residence. The period of mourning rites lasts nine days which church rules say should begin between the fourth and sixth day after the Pope’s death.