Pope Francis dies at 88, Vatican announces
In a video statement released on Monday, the Vatican announced his passing, Francis being the first pope of Latin American origin. The 88-year-old had faced several health complications while serving as pope for 12 years.
In a statement released by the Vatican over their telegram channel, Cardinal Kevin Farrel said, “This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father,”.
During the Easter Sunday address, Pope Francis emphasized the need for tolerance in freedom of thought. After offering easter greetings to the crowd that, in his words, was over 35,000 people, Francis asked an associate to read out his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” benediction.
“Irrespective of debate, there without a doubt,” he went on to emphasize, “can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, or freedom of expression.” His speech also highlighted worrying cases of antisemitism as well as Gaza’s dramatic and deplorable condition.
Pope Francis, suffering from pneumonia, was recently hospitalized. After being treated for pneumonia for five weeks, Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital on March 23.
This year, Pope Francis skipped significant occasions over Holy Week like the Good Friday Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum and the Easter Vigil at Saint Peters Basilica, which he has not done previously since becoming pope in 2013. He passed on these responsibilities to the Cardinals and did not attend himself.
The now 86 year old Argentine was the first pope from the Americas, and surprisingly, the first in over a century to not reside within the Vatican’s apostolic palace, showcasing a stunning Italian renaissance right next to St Peter’s Square.
After his election in 2013, Francis has been said to have never taken a holiday, which makes sense considering the pace he has kept up with, which he was warned by doctors to reconsider.
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