Pope Francis's unwavering dedication to his duties and the message of compassion he preached up until his passing on Easter Sunday reflects his enduring legacy.
Pope Francis Passes Away After Final Easter Blessing: A Look Back at His Last Day
Pope Francis Passes Away After Final Easter Blessing: A Look Back at His Last Day
Pope Francis defied medical advice, remaining active until his final moments, nurturing his connection with millions.
April 21, 2025, 6:53 a.m. ET
In a heartfelt tribute to millions of followers, Pope Francis maintained his active schedule until the day before his passing, meeting with Vice President JD Vance and blessing large crowds during Easter celebrations, despite doctors' orders for rest. Following a brief meeting with Vance, who expressed concern for the pontiff's health in a social media post, Francis appeared before thousands in St. Peter's Square, delivering an emotional Easter message from a balcony.
The 88-year-old pontiff, who recently had a severe health scare leading to a hospital stay, responded energetically to the applause of the crowd as he blessed them, breaking through his own frail condition. Once again, he voiced his enduring commitment to addressing humanitarian issues, condemning anti-immigrant attitudes, and calling for peace in Gaza, which was met with cheers of support from onlookers.
His impassioned "Urbi et Orbi" address encompassed a range of pressing global concerns, emphasizing the importance of compassion for vulnerable communities and delivering messages of hope to Christians in conflict zones. With the world witnessing the end of an era, Francis's final public appearance was met with admiration, and his legacy of advocacy and connection live on in the hearts of his followers.
Amelia Nierenberg is a breaking news reporter for The Times in London, covering international news.
In a heartfelt tribute to millions of followers, Pope Francis maintained his active schedule until the day before his passing, meeting with Vice President JD Vance and blessing large crowds during Easter celebrations, despite doctors' orders for rest. Following a brief meeting with Vance, who expressed concern for the pontiff's health in a social media post, Francis appeared before thousands in St. Peter's Square, delivering an emotional Easter message from a balcony.
The 88-year-old pontiff, who recently had a severe health scare leading to a hospital stay, responded energetically to the applause of the crowd as he blessed them, breaking through his own frail condition. Once again, he voiced his enduring commitment to addressing humanitarian issues, condemning anti-immigrant attitudes, and calling for peace in Gaza, which was met with cheers of support from onlookers.
His impassioned "Urbi et Orbi" address encompassed a range of pressing global concerns, emphasizing the importance of compassion for vulnerable communities and delivering messages of hope to Christians in conflict zones. With the world witnessing the end of an era, Francis's final public appearance was met with admiration, and his legacy of advocacy and connection live on in the hearts of his followers.
Amelia Nierenberg is a breaking news reporter for The Times in London, covering international news.
