Pope Francis has died: what we know.

On Monday, April 21, Pope Francis died at the age of 89 at the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.

According to Vatican News, Pope Francis had been in the hospital since February 14 in serious condition, but even the day before he addressed the faithful with an Easter message.

The death of Pope Francis was announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.

'Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. Today at 7:35 AM, the Bishop of Rome Francis returned to the House of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to serving the Lord and His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel faithfully, especially concerning the poorest and most marginalized. With boundless gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the boundless merciful love of the Holy Trinity,' he stated.

Pope Francis had been in the hospital since February 14, 2025. Initially, he was hospitalized with bronchitis, but then he was found to have a polymicrobial respiratory infection. This led to a 'complex clinical situation' regarding his health, the Vatican reported.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who became Pope Francis, was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires to an immigrant Italian family. He entered the Jesuit order in 1958, received philosophical and theological education, and was ordained a priest in 1969. In 1998, he became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, and in 2001 he was appointed a cardinal. He was known for his simplicity, social activism, and attention to the problems of the poor.

March 13, 2013, became a historic date when Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pope. This was a first in the history of the Vatican: the first pontiff from Latin America, the first Jesuit Pope, and the first to take the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.

During his pontificate, Pope Francis supported interreligious dialogue, environmental protection, and the reform of the Roman Curia. He was known as a warm spiritual leader who showed openness to all people, especially marginalized communities.

It should be noted that Pope Francis has expressed concern for the situation in Ukraine several times and called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, consistent with his position on war and violence.

In December 2024, he addressed the youth of Ukraine, urging them to be patriots, turn away from war, and forgive. Earlier, he also urged Ukraine to have the 'courage of the white flag' and to negotiate with Russia, although this call received criticism.

Importantly, after the death of the Pope, a conclave will begin - the process of electing a new pontiff, where cardinals will gather.

President Zelensky discussed steps towards achieving peace and the release of hostages with the Vatican's Secretary of State.