Pope Francis Dies Aged 88

Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, has died aged 88.

He died on Monday at 7:35 am, a day after making a much-hoped-for appearance at Saint Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said in a statement.

“Dearest brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell said in the statement published by the Vatican on its Telegram channel.”

“This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.” His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His church.”

Francis’s death came just a day after he delighted the crowds of worshippers at the Vatican on Easter Sunday with an appearance on the balcony at Saint Peter’s Basilica despite still convalescing after a severe illness.

He had come close to dying twice earlier this year while suffering from pneumonia.

He spent 38 days in hospital before he was released on March 23.

On Sunday, he wished the crowds on Saint Peter’s Square a “Happy Easter” as he waved and in his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and the World”) benediction, he called for freedom of thought and tolerance.

As Cardinal Bergoglio from Argentina he was already in his seventies when he became Pope in 2013.

His papacy paved the way for many firsts, and while he never stopped introducing reforms to the Catholic Church, he remained popular among traditionalists.

He was the first Pope from the Americas and the first non-European in centuries; not since Syrian-born Gregory III died in 741 had there been a non-European Bishop of Rome.

His predecessor, Benedict XVI, was the first Pope to retire voluntarily in almost 600 years, and for almost 10 years, the Vatican Gardens hosted two popes.

He was also the first Jesuit to be elected to the throne of St Peter.

AFP