Pope Francis passed away in the early hours of Easter Monday. The Pope was 88 years old and had been the head of the Roman Catholic Church for more than 12 years since his election in 2013. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, announced his holiness’s death:

“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 marginalized. 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.”

The Holy Father spent more than a month in hospital care at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital, where he was treated for bronchitis. While under hospital care, the Pope’s health situation worsened, and he was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. After the treatments and being hospitalized for 38 days, he finally returned to his residency at the Casa Santa Marta for further recovery. He died here on April 21, Easter Monday, in the early morning hours.

Pope Francis was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1937. In his 20s, he underwent surgery, and parts of his lungs were removed because of a severe respiratory infection. With age his health deteriorated; he even had to cancel planned visits due to health issues.

On Wednesday the Pope’s body could be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica in order for the believers to pray before his earthly remains. Pope Francis will be buried according to the updated liturgical book for papal funeral rites, approved by him in 2024.

“The renewed rite, seeks to emphasise even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world.”

Said Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies. He pointed out that the Pope’s funeral, at His Holiness’s request, will be simpler and will focus on expressing the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ. The date for Pope Francis’s funeral Mass has not yet been announced.

Source: Vatican News