This morning, the world awoke to heartbreaking news: Pope Francis has passed away. The Vatican confirmed his death on Easter Monday, casting a shadow over what is usually a joyful time for millions of Christians.

Thousands had flocked to Rome for the Easter celebrations, with many gathering at the Vatican on Sunday—unknowingly witnessing what would be the Pope’s final public appearance.

Keep reading to learn more.

On Easter Sunday, Pope Francis made a brief appearance at St. Peter’s Square to honor the holy day. His ongoing struggle with severe double pneumonia had taken a toll on his health, so the Easter Mass was led by a senior cardinal.

Cardinal Angelo Comastri presided over the ceremony in front of tens of thousands of Catholic faithful. Meanwhile, Pope Francis appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet the crowd, offering a heartfelt “Happy Easter” and his final blessings.

Traditionally, the Pope delivers the “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and the World”) message on this occasion. This year, however, it was read by a Vatican archbishop, as the Pope, confined to a wheelchair, was unable to deliver it himself.

The Pope’s recent address touched on several crucial global issues and left a powerful impression. He spoke about the “growing climate of antisemitism around the world” and strongly condemned the ongoing crisis in Gaza, once again urging for a ceasefire.

“I think of the people of Gaza, and its Christian community in particular, where the terrible conflict continues to cause death and destruction and to create a dramatic and deplorable humanitarian situation,” read what would be the pope’s final Easter address.

He also stressed the importance of religious freedom and mutual respect, stating that true peace cannot exist without them.

“There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others,” the address read.

Following the speech, the pope greeted the crowd while riding in an open-top vehicle.

The pope has passed away at the age of 88. He had been dealing with ongoing health issues and had spent significant time in the hospital. Just four weeks ago, he was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after being admitted for a month.

Even after his release, doctors emphasized that he still needed time to recover from the serious illness he had been fighting.

Because of his declining health, the pope was unable to attend most of the Holy Week ceremonies—something that hadn’t happened since his papacy began in 2013. He was notably absent from the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum on Friday and the Easter Vigil at Saint Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, where cardinals stepped in to carry out his duties.

He was also absent from the traditional foot-washing ceremony on Thursday, which commemorates the moment Jesus Christ washed the feet of His disciples.

However, on Saturday, he made a short appearance to greet those who had gathered.

Pope Francis leaves behind a powerful and lasting legacy—one defined by his unwavering faith and deep integrity. His impact will be remembered for generations.

Feel free to share this with anyone who would appreciate knowing about his final address and the meaning behind it.