Pope Francis died today, April 21, 2025,at 7:35 a.m. in the Vatican City. This was announced by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican's camerlegno. He said that Pope Francis dedicated his life to the service of God and the Catholic Church. 

With the death of Pope Francis, his pontificate ends and the procedures for the election of a new pope will begin. In addition, Pope Francis, at his request, will be buried in a simple wooden coffin and a more modest funeral is planned. He will be buried outside the Vatican, in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.

In accordance with his wishes, Pope Francis will be buried in a simple, zinc-lined wooden coffin, foregoing the traditional three interlocking caskets made of cypress, lead, and oak that have been customary for previous popes.Additionally, his body will not be displayed on a raised platform in St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing, as was customary;instead, visitors will be able to pay their respects while his body remains inside the casket with the lid removed.

Pope Francis will be the first pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican. He chose Rome's Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore as his final resting place, a site of personal significance where he traditionally prayed before and after his international trips.

Madina Mammadova\\EDnews