Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio), the first Latin American pontiff, passed away Monday morning at the age of 88.
The Vatican’s Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, announced that the Pope died at 7:35 AM in Vatican City.
“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,” Farrell said in a statement.
“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.”
In February, Francis, long criticized by conservatives for steering the Church into left-wing political activism rather than defending tradition and morality, began suffering from a serious respiratory infection, which has now developed into double pneumonia—an aggressive infection that inflames both lungs.
A Vatican statement confirmed that the pope underwent a chest CAT scan, revealing the onset of double pneumonia.
The statement added, “polymicrobial infection, which has arisen in the context of bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis, and has required the use of corticosteroid and antibiotics, makes the therapeutic treatment more complex.”
“A follow-up chest CT scan, to which the Holy Father was subjected this afternoon—prescribed by the Vatican medical team and the medical staff of the “A. Gemelli” Polyclinic Foundation—revealed the onset of bilateral pneumonia, requiring additional pharmacological therapy.”
“Nevertheless,” the press release adds, “Pope Francis remains in good spirits.”
Previous reports indicate that Pope Francis himself is deeply worried about his survival.
RadarOnline.com reveals that the 88-year-old pontiff has reportedly informed his aides that he “won’t survive” and is “preparing for death” while he battles pneumonia in the hospital.
Doctor Alfieri, head of his medical team revealed yesterday (25) that Francis came to be so close to death at certain point that doctors considered ending his pneumonia treatment so he could just die in peace.
“The doctor said it was the pope’s personal nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, who urged the medical team to keep up the treatment in the wake of the vomiting episode.”
After a grueling battle against double pneumonia and a bout of kidney failure in the hospital for 38 days, Pope Francis returned to the Vatican in March.
The doctors have warned that it will still take a long time for Francis to fully heal.
The Pope was prescribed another two months of rest at the Vatican, and he is to avoid large or stressful meetings.
In his brief balcony appearance, Francis’ face ‘looked swollen’, but he was not using oxygen and was breathing on his own.
According to Vatican News, in 1957, while in his early 20s, Jorge Mario Bergoglio underwent surgery in his native Argentina to remove part of his lung following a severe respiratory infection.
As he aged, Pope Francis continued to experience recurring respiratory issues, including a bout of influenza and lung inflammation that forced him to cancel a scheduled visit to the United Arab Emirates in November 2023.
On Easter Sunday morning, just a day before his death, Pope Francis held a brief private meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Casa Santa Marta shortly after 11:30 a.m.
According to the Holy See Press Office, the meeting lasted only a few minutes and served as an opportunity to exchange Easter greetings.
The Vatican has released the second edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, introducing significant changes to the funeral rites of a pope, “including how the Pope’s mortal remains are to be handled after death.”
Among the most notable updates is a new procedure for confirming the death of the Holy Father, which now takes place in a chapel rather than the room where he passed. The Pope’s body is immediately placed in the coffin following this ritual.
Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, emphasized that Pope Francis had requested a simplified funeral that centered on the Church’s faith in the Resurrection of Christ.
“The renewed rite,” said Archbishop Ravelli, “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.”
According to reports, the Conclave—where cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to elect a new pope—will not take place for at least 15 days.
This story has been updated with additional information.
