Pope Francis Dies at 88
Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed on Monday morning.
The announcement was made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell in a solemn statement: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 a.m. this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”
Cardinal Farrell praised Pope Francis as a faithful disciple who “taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised.”
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis made history in 2013 as the first Jesuit and the first pope from the Americas. His papacy was marked by humility, progressive outreach, and a commitment to social justice, interfaith dialogue, and care for the environment.
The late pontiff had been hospitalized on February 14 for treatment of bronchitis, later diagnosed as pneumonia. During his 38-day hospital stay, he received blood transfusions and was reported to have signs of kidney failure. Despite a complex medical condition, he was released on March 23 and returned to the Vatican, where he had been under strict medical supervision.
Thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square and at his hospital bedside during his illness, offering prayers, flowers, and messages of hope. His final public appearance was on Easter Sunday, when he greeted crowds during the traditional service.
The Vatican has not yet announced funeral details, but preparations for the conclave to elect a new pope will commence within 15 to 20 days, as per tradition.
Pope Francis leaves behind a spiritual legacy that touched more than 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, remembered for his compassion, reformist vision, and unwavering advocacy for the marginalized.
Reporting via IRN
