Vatican Metropolis — Because the Caribbean and different areas celebrated Easter Monday, the Vatican introduced the dying of Pope Francis, chief of the Roman Catholic Church, on the age of 88.
The somber news was delivered by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, from the late pontiff’s residence at Casa Santa Marta.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I have to announce the dying of our Holy Father Francis,” Cardinal Farrell mentioned. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His total life was devoted to the service of the Lord and of His Church.”
He praised the Pope’s legacy of championing the poor and marginalized, and known as him “a real disciple of the Lord Jesus.”
The announcement reverberated throughout the Catholic world, together with within the Caribbean, the place Pope Francis remained a beloved and transformative determine. Many Caribbean church buildings held Easter Monday companies with added prayers of mourning and remembrance.
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Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Workplace, mentioned the late Pope’s physique will probably be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, April 23, for public veneration. “The interpretation of the Holy Father’s mortal stays to the Vatican Basilica… could happen on the morning of Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in response to the preparations that shall be decided and communicated tomorrow,” Bruni informed journalists.
Pope Francis had been battling recurring respiratory points for years. On February 14, he was admitted to Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital after a number of days of bronchitis. His situation worsened on February 18, when docs recognized bilateral pneumonia. After spending 38 days in hospital, he returned to the Vatican to proceed his restoration, however his well being declined within the weeks that adopted.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Argentine pontiff made historical past in 2013 as the primary pope from Latin America and the primary Jesuit to be elected to the papacy. His decades-long battle with lung issues started in 1957, when he had a part of his proper lung eliminated as a result of a critical an infection.
Regardless of declining well being lately, Pope Francis remained energetic in church affairs. In April 2024, he authorized a brand new model of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the official liturgical textual content for papal funerals. The up to date version, which can information his personal funeral Mass, emphasizes simplicity and the resurrection of Christ over pageantry and energy.
“The renewed ceremony,” defined Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Grasp of Apostolic Ceremonies, “seeks to emphasize much more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and never of a strong individual of this world.”
Funeral particulars, together with the date of the Mass and the interval of mourning, are anticipated to be introduced following the primary Basic Congregation of the Cardinals.
