Pope Francis dies aged 88

Mace | 21st April 2025 | Uncategorised
Pope,Francis,Waves,To,The,Faithful,At,The,End,Of

Pope Francis, the first Pope from the Americas, passed away on Easter Monday, aged 88, at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican. Despite enduring lifelong health challenges, including a lung removal in his youth, he led with resilience, advocating for the poor and addressing global issues like climate change. Known for his humility and reformist vision, his papacy modernised Church dialogue but faced resistance. His legacy of compassion and courage leaves an indelible mark on the Catholic Church and beyond.

Pope Francis, the Latin American pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church and the first from the Southern Hemesphire, has died at the age of 88. He passed away on Easter Monday, 21 April 2025, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. The announcement of his death was made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, who confirmed that the Pope had died at 7.35 am local time. The Vatican later stated that he succumbed to complications from a stroke and bilateral pneumonia. A message from Church officials expressed deep gratitude for his life of service, describing him as a “true disciple of the Lord Jesus” and praising his unwavering dedication to the poor and marginalised. Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy of reform, compassion, and efforts to modernise one of the world’s oldest institutions. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis came from a working-class family with Italian roots. Before entering religious life, he tra...

Subscribe to The Mace

Join the member community shaping British politics and stay ahead of what's really happening in the world of politics and public affairs, with expert analysis, breaking news, and insider insights from Westminster and Brussels. The Mace is the leading news source and resource for the government affairs industry, offering required reading and lobby intelligence for professionals.

To see what you are missing out on by not subscribing to The Mace, click here to download our full membership info-pack. This includes having no paywall on op-ed content or profiles/interviews, allowing professional profiles to be read with maximum impact and visibility by government, special advisers, MPs, peers, civil servants, and policy and political decision-makers.



Leader in UK Public Affairs: Dr Michelle Howard, Senior Advisor for Defence and Space, Lexington Communications: “The future of public affairs is full of promise for the creative”

Mace | September 16, 2026

Lexington’s Michelle Howard explains how an unconventional career spanning opera, journalism, hydropower and defence led her into public affairs, why political instability rewards creativity and listening, and what

FGS Global acquires Washington government affairs agency

Mace | August 7, 2026

FGS Global has acquired Washington, DC-based government affairs firm Rich Feuer Anderson.

Kemi’s true blue purge, with help from Sir Philip May

William Cash | July 26, 2026

The news that former Home Secretary Sir Grant Shapps has failed to make the new Tory candidate list has put fear into dozens of former Conservative MPs. Whether

UK ‘global investor’ visa proposed by lobby group to bring back UK’s non-doms

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | April 23, 2026

New 'global investor visa' proposed by lobby group as UK struggles to attract the super-rich

London Elections latest polling: Green gains and Labour out

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | April 22, 2026

Latest polling from YouGov suggests major gains for Greens and Reform UK in the capital.

Greens win Gorton and Denton

Oliver Dean | February 27, 2026

The Green's victory reflects a changing mindset in British politics

Green Party leader gets new communications advisor

Oliver Dean | February 17, 2026

Polanski's new communications advisor shows that the Green Party leader is serious about his public image.

Trade body describes the Government’s new electric HGV plan as a ‘monumental challenge’

Oliver Dean | February 17, 2026

With only 1 in 70 new HGV's being electric, the government must assist with infrastructure investment says industry leader

Blakeney bolsters its team with new additions

Madeline Dabbah | February 13, 2026

Blakeney has welcomed former drinks company Oatly managing director Tim Knight and pro-Brexit MEP Lucy Harris, in an effort to strengthen their position, the public affairs and strategic

Hanbury goes global

Oliver Dean | February 13, 2026

Hanbury's decision to erect offices in Washington and Sydney showcases the firms' strong public image.