Pope Francis, the 266th head of the Catholic church, has died today, April 21, at age 88. After an ongoing battle with ill health, the Pope passed on Easter Monday in his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.
The cause of death currently hasn’t been released.
The Pope attended the Easter Sunday service in the Vatican.
Afterwards, he met US Vice President JD Vance after declining a meeting the day before.
On Saturday April 19, Pope Francis sent a representative to meet the VP instead, asking him to give Vance a lecture on compassion.
Earlier this year, on February 14, the Pope received treatment for bronchitis then bilateral pneumonia in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital but was discharged from the hospital 28 days later.
His condition was no longer considered critical.
The Pope suffered from lung-related issues for most of his life. When he was young, he had part of his lung removed due to pneumonia complications. He has had four hospital stays since becoming the Pope in 2013, yet his recent one in February has been the lengthiest stay so far.
In a public statement, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, said: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.
At 7:35 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 of His Church.
‘He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor 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.”
A period of mourning will follow his passing where all cardinals under 80 years old will meet to appoint the next leader of the Catholic Church. The process usually takes two to three weeks.
Featured Image Credit: @Pontifex / X
Fourth year student journalist studying Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Journalism Studies.
Words at Brig, The Daily Evergreen, Alloa Advertiser, Discovery Music Scotland, and The Mourning Paper.
