Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris: 88 Bell Chimes in Tribute to Pope Francis

Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, at his residence in the Vatican, the Casa Santa Marta. As a gesture of homage, the bells of Notre-Dame Cathedral tolled at 11 a.m., striking 88 times—symbolizing the age of the pontiff at the time of his death.

To be read : Pope Francis has died

The “88 chimes for 88 years of life” will be followed by a grand ringing of the cathedral’s bells, the press office of Notre-Dame de Paris announced. A Mass is scheduled for noon on Monday, April 21, with another to follow at 6 p.m., ahead of a major prayer vigil around 7 p.m. in tribute to the Supreme Pontiff.