Pope Francis died today at the age of 88, hours after making a last appearance on the balcony at Saint Peter’s Basilica to bless thousands of faithful on Easter Sunday.
While the pope did not celebrate the Easter Mass in the piazza, he watched as Archbishop Diego Ravelli read his Easter blessing to the crowd.
Francis appeared fatigued and exhausted from his pneumonia battle and was heavily surrounded by aides who were adjusting his robes and helping him drink water through a straw.
About 20 hours before his death, the pontiff shared his full Urbi and Orbi blessing and posted a last message on social media.
“Christ is risen! These words capture the entire meaning of our existence, for we were not made for death but for life,” Francis wrote on X.
“On this day, I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life, and ideas!” he continued.
“I would like us to renew our hope that peace is possible!”
