Pope Francis – Requiescat in Pace

Pope Francis has died aged 88, the Vatican Press Office has confirmed. He served as the 265th successor of St Peter from his election on 13 March 2013 to 21 April 2025.

At 9:45am, Rome time, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the death of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta.

Pope’s death due to stroke and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse

The cause of Pope Francis’ death has been identified as a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.

Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, issued the official certification, and the Holy See Press Office released the report on Monday evening.

Pope Francis’ body to lie in state until funeral on Saturday morning

The Holy See Press Office has announced that Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, 26 April, 2025, at 10am, 9am UK time in St. Peter’s Square.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside at the Mass, which will be concelebrated by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe.

Cardinal Nichols pays tribute to a Pope who loved those on the peripheries

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, pays tribute to Pope Francis and, in this video reflection, shares his personal thoughts on the Holy Father and the impact of his ministry as the 265th successor of St Peter.

Pope Francis - Parish Resources

Prayer card and liturgical resources to help parishes pray for Pope Francis.

Westminster Requiem Mass for His Holiness Pope Francis

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Bishops’ Conference, presided at a Requiem Mass for His Holiness Pope Francis today, Monday 21 April, at 5:30pm in Westminster Cathedral.

In his homily, Cardinal Nichols said that Pope Francis’ pontificate was defined by mercy and hope and that the Pope was constantly expressing the love of God and the importance of our fraternal bonds.

He said: “Today a voice has fallen silent, a voice heard in every corner of the world: a voice of warm encouragement and sharp challenge, expressing both love of God and a love of our shared humanity.”

Cardinal reflects on Pope Francis and his ministry on LBC radio

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, spoke to Nick Ferrari on the radio station LBC the day after the death of Pope Francis (Tuesday 22 April).

He reflected warmly on a Pope who had a deep inner peace and conviction to live and act in the presence of God.

Cardinal Nichols’ Thought for the Day on the death of Pope Francis

Speaking on Thought for the Day on the morning of Tuesday 22 April, on BBC Radio 4, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops’ Conference expressed sadness at the death of Pope Francis and the fact that “the death of Pope Francis takes from us a voice has been heard in every corner of the world”.

Cardinal Nichols’ Pause for Thought on the death of Pope Francis

Cardinal Nichols, President of the Bishops’ Conference, appeared on Pause for Thought on the morning of Tuesday 22 April, on BBC Radio 2 and spoke about Pope Francis’ legacy and the way in which he “expressed himself as much in gestures as in words”.

Local news on the death of Pope Francis

In this page you can find news updates from the dioceses and statements from Bishops across England and Wales following the death of Pope Francis.