PA Media
Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away at the age of 88.
“This morning at 7:35 local time (05:35 GMT), Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to his father’s house,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell said in a statement published by the Vatican.
His death comes after he appeared on St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, hoping for “Happy Easter” to thousands of worshippers.
Pope Francis, born in Argentina and born in Jorge Mario Bergolio, was discharged from the hospital last month after five weeks of treatment for the infection that led to dual pneumonia.
“He taught us to live the values of the gospel with faithfulness, courage and universal love, especially in support of the poorest and most marginalized people,” Kevin Farrell continued in a statement.
“With enormous gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we praise Pope Francis’ soul for the infinite and merciful love of one and the Trinity God.”
Tributes from around the world are pouring in, including princes up to Charles III, who met with the Pope earlier this month during his state visit to Italy.
The king said he was “deeply saddened” to hear his death, adding:
Meanwhile, the acting chief of the Church of England, the archbishop of York, described him as a “very human” and “a holy man of God.”
“Francis’ life and ministry focused on Jesus who came to serve, not to be served within us,” Stephen Cottrell said in a statement.
US vice president JD Vance, who met the Pope on Easter Sunday, said he “heart goes out.”
“He was obviously very ill, but I was happy to see him yesterday,” he said.
The White House in X’s post says, “Look at peace, Pope Francis.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised him as a “great man” and said he had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, advice and teaching.
The Pope’s final public appearance came on Easter Sunday, seen in wheelchairs to cheering crowds from the balcony of St. Peter’s Cathedral.
“Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter,” he said.
In the blessings of the priest, he said:
“What a great thirst for death. We are seen in many conflicts that are furious in various parts of the world.”
The governance of the church will be handled by the most senior cardiac college until the new Pope is chosen. Currently there are 252 Catholic Cardinals, of which 138 are eligible to vote for the new Pope.
They are summoned to a meeting at the Vatican, as the election is known, followed by a conclave.
The Pope has struggled with his health for the past few months, spending five weeks with pneumonia in both lungs.
During the hospital, he presented “two very important episodes” according to one of his doctors, “life was at risk.”
He has suffered from many health issues throughout his life. Among them, at age 21, one of their lungs was removed, making them more susceptible to infections.
Francis’s Pope told many firsts, and although he never stopped introducing reforms to the Catholic Church, he became popular among traditionalists.
Francis was the first pope from the United States or the Southern Hemisphere. He was also the first non-European pope for centuries after Gregory III, born in Syria, who died in 741.
He was also the first Jesuits to be elected to the throne of St. Peter. The Jesuits have historically been seen with Roman doubt.
