King Charles Reflects on His Deep Sadness Over Pope Francis’ Passing and the Comfort Found in His Final Gesture

• King Charles shared a statement regarding the passing of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88 on April 21.
• The Pope’s death followed a month after he was discharged from the hospital after a 38-day treatment for double pneumonia.
• Earlier this month, King Charles and Queen Camilla had a private audience with Pope Francis, coinciding with his health challenges.

As tributes and expressions of love for Pope Francis pour in, King Charles finds a silver lining amidst the loss of the Catholic Church leader.

Following the announcement of Pope Francis’ death on April 21, King Charles issued an official statement honoring His Holiness.

“My wife and I were deeply saddened to learn of Pope Francis’ passing,” the monarch expressed on behalf of himself and Queen Camilla. “Our hearts are heavy, but we take comfort in knowing that His Holiness was able to convey an Easter Greeting to the Church and the world he cherished with unwavering devotion throughout his ministry.”

The day prior to Pope Francis’ passing was Easter Sunday, during which he delivered his traditional address and met with Vice President J.D. Vance.

“His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, commitment to the Church’s unity, and unwavering dedication to the common causes of people of faith and those of goodwill who strive for the welfare of others,” King Charles continued his tribute. “His belief that caring for Creation is an essential expression of faith in God resonated deeply with people around the globe. Through his work and concern for both humanity and the environment, he profoundly impacted countless lives.”

The British monarch reflected on his many visits with Pope Francis over the years, adding, “We were truly moved to have had the opportunity to visit him earlier this month.”

King Charles and Camilla met with Pope Francis on April 9, following a postponed initial visit due to the pope’s health issues. During their private meeting at the Vatican, gifts were exchanged, and the pope extended his best wishes to the couple for their 20th wedding anniversary.

The announcement of the pope’s death was confirmed by Vatican News, stating, “Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.”

Pope Francis passed away one month after being discharged from the hospital, where he underwent treatment for double pneumonia for 38 days.

In a statement from the Vatican, Cardinal Farrell expressed, “Dear brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. This morning at 7:35 a.m., the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to serving the Lord and His Church.”

“He taught us to live by the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized,” the statement continued. “We hold immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus and commend the soul of Pope Francis to the boundless merciful love of the One and Triune God.”

Vance, who had one of the last audiences with the pope, shared on social media, “I just learned of Pope Francis’ passing. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians worldwide who adored him. I was fortunate to see him yesterday, although he was clearly very ill. I will always remember the beautiful homily he gave in the early days of COVID. May God rest his soul.”