Vice President JD Vance has paid tribute to Pope Francis following the Vatican’s announcement of the Pontiff’s passing at the age of 88.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, had been in declining health in recent months, battling a respiratory infection, chronic bronchitis that progressed to pneumonia in both lungs, and mild kidney failure.
The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time on Monday, April 21.
In an official statement, Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell shared the solemn news:
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.
“His entire life was devoted to the service of the Lord and His Church. He taught us to embody the values of the Gospel with unwavering faith, courage, and a universal love—especially for the poor and the marginalized.”
Vice President Vance, who met with Pope Francis just hours before his death, described the encounter as “deeply moving” and praised the late Pontiff’s enduring compassion and spiritual leadership.
Pope Francis has died aged 88 (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)
“With profound gratitude for his witness as a faithful disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite and merciful love of the Triune God.”
Vance, a Catholic convert, arrived in Vatican City over the weekend for meetings with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s foreign minister.
The Vatican confirmed the meetings were conducted in a “cordial” atmosphere, and it is believed that Vance also had the opportunity to meet with Pope Francis himself.
This morning, following the Vatican’s announcement of the Pope’s passing, the Vice President expressed his condolences on Twitter.
“I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians around the world who loved him.
“I was grateful to see him yesterday, though it was clear he was very ill. I will always remember the homily he gave in the earliest days of the COVID pandemic—it was truly beautiful.”
JD Vance with Pope Francis over the weekend (Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)
May God grant him eternal rest.
Before his passing, Pope Francis shared that he would depart from tradition and be laid to rest in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
While popes are customarily buried in the grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Pope Francis chose instead the place where he often prayed before and after his international journeys.
“The place is already prepared. I wish to be buried in St. Mary Major,” he said in 2023, expressing his deep devotion to the Byzantine Icon of Our Lady, Protectress of the Roman People.
