Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time on April 21 (2:30 p.m. Japan time). He was 88 years old. The day before, he had appeared at St. Peter's Square for the Easter Mass, which became his final public appearance before the faithful.
The Vatican announced that the cause of death was a stroke and irreversible heart failure. Memorial services are being held around the world, and large crowds have gathered at St. Peter’s Square and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to mourn his passing.
Cardinal Farrell praised the Pope’s life as "dedicated to serving the Lord and the Church" and entrusted his soul to God.
Pope Francis was also actively involved in supporting refugees, addressing environmental issues, and promoting peace diplomacy. He upheld tolerance and humanitarianism throughout his life, notably criticizing the Trump administration's policies on the forced deportation of undocumented immigrants.
The Vatican is now expected to begin preparations for his funeral and the conclave to elect a new pope.

カトリック教会のローマ教皇フランシスコが、現地時間4月21日午前7時35分（日本時間午後2時30分）に亡くなった。88歳だった。前日、復活祭（イースター）のミサで聖ペトロ広場に姿を見せたのが信者たちの前に現れた最後となった。教皇庁（ヴァチカン）は、死因を脳卒中と不可逆的な心不全と発表。世界各地では教皇を悼む礼拝が行われ、聖ペトロ広場やサンタ・マリア・マッジョーレ大聖堂には多くの人が集まった。ファレル枢機卿は教皇の生涯を「主と教会への奉仕に捧げた」と讃え、教皇の魂を神に委ねた。教皇フランシスコは難民支援、環境問題、平和外交にも積極的に取り組み、特に不法移民への強制送還を進めたトランプ米政権を批判するなど、寛容と人道主義を貫いた。バチカンは今後、葬儀と新教皇選出のためのコンクラーベの準備に入る見通しだ。