Pope Francis has died on Easter Monday at the age of 88, just one day after a brief and somewhat strained meeting with US Vice President JD Vance at the Vatican. The encounter, now his final public engagement, came amid ongoing tensions over the Trump administration’s immigration policies, which the Pontiff had vocally condemned. Today's top videos STORY CONTINUES BELOW The Easter Sunday meeting was unusually short, lasting just a few minutes, and took place at the Domus Santa Marta rather than the grander Apostolic Palace. The Vatican described the encounter as an ‘exchange of Easter greetings.’ Vance, a Catholic convert, thanked the Pope for the visit and noted, ‘I know you have not been feeling great, but it’s good to see you in better health. Thank you for seeing me.’ Pope Francis meets with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and delegation during an audience at Casa Santa Marta on April 20, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pic: Getty Francis responded with a modest gift: three large chocolate Easter eggs for Vance’s children, along with a Vatican tie and rosaries. Despite the pleasantries, the meeting was undercut by lingering friction. Francis had made care for migrants a defining theme of his papacy and had criticised the Trump administration’s deportation plans. In February, just days before his hospitalisation, the Pope warned in a letter to US bishops that these policies threatened the dignity of migrants. The letter also appeared to rebut Vance’s use of Catholic doctrine to justify hardline immigration stances. Pope Francis meets with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and delegation during an audience at Casa Santa Marta on April 20, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pic: Getty The Pope’s death was formally announced on Easter Monday by Cardinal Kevin Farrell: ‘With deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. Pope Francis has died aged 88 on Easter Monday, the Vatican has confirmed. His death was announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell in a statement released by the Vatican. He said: ‘Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. ‘At 7.35am this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church. ‘He taught us to live the values ​​of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised. Pope Francis. Pic: Buda Mendes/Getty Images ‘With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.’ Following the news, JD Vance wrote on X: ‘I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. ‘My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days… — JD Vance (@JDVance) April 21, 2025 ‘I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. ‘It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul.’