Pope Francis passes away at 88 Vatican reports

Pope Francis has died, the Vatican has revealed it in a video message. The first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church,  died at the age of 88 on Monday. 

He experienced health issues in his 12-year papacy, with serious health setbacks recently. Francis became pope in 2013. In the past few years, the 88-year-old was was unable to attend some functions, sometimes at the last minute, because of his health.

According to the statement, the Vatican revealed that Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 in his personal residence  in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.

With enduring gratitude for his influential example  as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we praise the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.” The Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on Friday, February 14, 2025, after suffering from a bout of bronchitis for several days.

Pope Francis’ clinical situation gradually worsened, and his doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia on Tuesday, February 18.

After 38 days in hospital, the late Pope returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.

In 1957, in his early 20s, Jorge Mario Bergoglio underwent surgery in his native Argentina to remove a portion of his lung that had been affected by a severe respiratory infection.

As he aged, Pope Francis frequently suffered bouts of respiratory illnesses, even cancelling a planned visit to the United Arab Emirates in November 2023 due to influenza and lung inflammation.

In April 2024, the late Pope Francis approved an updated edition of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites, which will guide the funeral Mass which has yet to be announced.

As at 9:45 AM [Vatican time +2hrs GMT]], Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, revealed the death of Pope Francis as per the Casa Santa Marta with the following statement: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must reveal the death of our Holy Father Francis

As at 7:35am [Vatican time +2hrs GMT] this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, joined his Heavenly Father. He devoted his life to the ministry to God and the Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, with particular attention to the most.

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