Vatican announces death of Pope Francis
His death comes after a long battle with pneumonia with his last years of papacy marked by several hospital visits and concerns about his health
Pope Francis is dead, the Vatican has announced.
The 88-year-old died at 7:35 am, it said. “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7.35 am 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,” Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church Cardinal Kevin Farrell said.
He remembered the late Pope for his teachings on fidelity and love for everyone.
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. 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,” Cardinal Farrel eulogised him.
His death comes after a long battle with pneumonia with his last years of papacy marked by several hospital visits and concerns about his health.
In February, the pope was admitted to the hospital for bronchitis treatment. Days later, the Vatican said he had been diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia and that he had blood transfusions after tests revealed he had low levels of platelets in his blood, which is associated with anaemia.
In late February, he was in a critical condition after a “prolonged respiratory crisis” that required a high flow of oxygen, and the next day, the Vatican said Francis was showing an “initial, mild” kidney failure.
In the following days, thousands of faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square to pray for his recovery, as others went to the Rome hospital where he was staying to leave flowers and cards.
He remained in hospital for the rest of the month, with doctors saying that his condition remained “complex”.
On March 6, his voice was heard for the first time since being admitted to hospital in an audio message, in which he thanked well-wishers, adding: “I am with you from here.”
His 38-day hospital stay ended on March 23 when he made his first public appearance in five weeks on the21 balcony of Gemelli, where he smiled and gave a thumbs up to the crowds gathered outside. He returned to the Vatican, making a surprise stop at his favourite basilica on the way home, before beginning two months of prescribed rest and recovery.
Yesterday, he greeted crowds at the Easter Sunday Service, though in a weak voice.
He later held a meeting with the US Vice President JD Vance.
Born in 1936, Francis was the first pope from South America. The pontiff, who was Bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church, became pope in 2013 after his predecessor, Benedict XVI, resigned. His papacy was marked by his championing of those escaping war and hunger, as well as those in poverty, earning him the moniker the “People’s Pope”.
