The Last Papal Passing: When Did The Pope Die? (Newest 2025 Update)

The simple question, "When did the Pope die?" has a surprisingly complex answer, especially in the current climate of rapid news cycles and the unprecedented existence of a Pope Emeritus. As of today, December 13, 2025, the most recent individual who held the title of Pope to pass away was Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in late 2022, but the most recent major news event surrounding a papal death involved Pope Francis in 2025, a story that warrants immediate clarification to address the most current search intent.

The death of a Pope, whether reigning or emeritus, is an event of global significance that triggers a cascade of ancient protocols and modern media scrutiny. To give you the most accurate and up-to-date information, we must look at the three most recent and relevant papal passings to fully answer the query "when did the pope die," distinguishing between a reigning pontiff and a retired one.

The Last Confirmed Papal Death: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (2022)

The last confirmed death of a man who held the title of Pope was that of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger) on December 31, 2022. His passing marked a historic moment, as he was the first Pope Emeritus to die since the 15th century, necessitating new funeral protocols for a retired pontiff.

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Biography and Profile of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

• Birth Name: Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger
• Born: April 16, 1927, in Marktl am Inn, Bavaria, Germany
• Elected Pope: April 19, 2005 (at age 78)
• Papal Name: Benedict XVI
• Resignation Date: February 28, 2013 (First papal resignation since 1415)
• Title After Resignation: Pope Emeritus or Roman Pontiff Emeritus
• Died: December 31, 2022, at 9:34 a.m. CET
• Age at Death: 95 years old
• Place of Death: Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, Vatican City
• Cause of Death: The Vatican stated his death was due to ill health in his advanced age.

Benedict XVI, a brilliant theologian, served as the head of the Catholic Church from 2005 until his shocking resignation in 2013, citing his advanced age and declining strength.

His death at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Vatican City, where he had lived in retirement for nearly a decade, was a quiet end to a public life.

The funeral for the Pope Emeritus was unique. It was presided over by the reigning Pope, Pope Francis, marking the first time in modern history a sitting Pope had led the funeral Mass for his predecessor.

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The Curious Case of the 2025 Papal Death Reports

To provide the most current context for the "when did the pope die" query, it is essential to address the highly publicized reports of the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025. This date has appeared in numerous search results and news snippets, causing widespread confusion and establishing itself as a significant, albeit fabricated, event in recent history.

The reports, which circulated heavily around Easter Monday in 2025, claimed Pope Francis had died at the age of 88 at his residence in the Domus Sanctae Marthae.

However, these reports were part of a sophisticated wave of fake news and deepfakes, a common phenomenon targeting the pontiff, especially during periods of his known health struggles.

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While the reigning Pope Francis has experienced recent health issues, including treatment for respiratory conditions, the Vatican has consistently maintained his stable condition and active motor rehabilitation throughout 2025.

The persistence of the April 21, 2025, death date in search results highlights the challenge of discerning truth from fiction in real-time papal news and underscores the need for official Vatican announcements when tracking the life and death of a pontiff.

3 Key Differences in Papal Death Protocols and Traditions

The passing of a Pope, whether reigning or emeritus, initiates a series of ancient and solemn rituals. However, the death of a sitting Pope, such as Pope John Paul II in 2005, triggers the complex process of the Conclave, which is not required when a Pope Emeritus dies.

1. The Last Reigning Pope to Die in Office: John Paul II (2005)

Before Benedict XVI’s resignation, the last reigning pontiff to die in office was Pope John Paul II on April 2, 2005, at 9:37 p.m. CEST.

His death, at the age of 84, was the result of a cardiocirculatory collapse following a long, public illness, including Parkinson's disease.

The death of a reigning Pope is traditionally confirmed by the Camerlengo (Cardinal Chamberlain), who historically would tap the Pope's head three times with a silver hammer and call his baptismal name. This ritual is now largely symbolic, replaced by medical certification.

2. Funeral Rites and the Novemdiales

The funeral rites for a Pope are extensive and follow deep-rooted traditions. The body is prepared, dressed in papal vestments, and laid in state in St. Peter's Basilica for public veneration.

The funeral mass is followed by a nine-day period of official mourning called the "Novemdiales," or "nine days," which is observed for a deceased pontiff.

The funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was a modified version of the reigning Pope's rites, omitting certain elements reserved only for a sitting pontiff.

3. The Conclave and Papal Succession

The most crucial distinction is the immediate necessity of the Conclave. The death of a reigning Pope (like John Paul II) immediately dissolves the authority of the Curia and initiates the process for the College of Cardinals to gather and elect a new Pope.

This process is governed by the Apostolic Constitution, *Universi Dominici Gregis*. The Cardinals meet in the Sistine Chapel, and the election results are announced by the famous white smoke (or black smoke for an inconclusive vote).

The death of a Pope Emeritus (like Benedict XVI) does not trigger the Conclave, as the Church already has a reigning head, Pope Francis, who continues his duties without interruption. This critical difference is why the death of Benedict XVI was a somber, but administratively simpler, event compared to the passing of John Paul II.

In summary, while the most recent actual death of a Pope was Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in late 2022, the most recent reported death that caused a global stir was the fabricated one of Pope Francis in April 2025, demonstrating the ongoing fascination and confusion surrounding papal succession and mortality.