Pope Francis passed away on Monday at the age of 88, just one day after he made a warmly anticipated public appearance at Saint Peter’s Square during Easter Sunday celebrations, the Vatican announced.
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Cardinal Kevin Farrell, delivering the news via a message shared on the Vatican’s official Telegram channel, said, “Dear brothers and sisters, it is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of our Holy Father, Francis.”
“At 7:35 a.m. (0535 GMT) this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, departed this world to return to the Father,” the statement continued.
The Vatican described Francis’s life as one marked by unwavering devotion to God and to the mission of the Catholic Church.
His passing occurred just a day after he brought joy to thousands of faithful by appearing on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica for Easter, even as he was still recovering from a serious illness.
Earlier in the year, the Pope had endured two near-death experiences due to pneumonia, which had kept him hospitalized for 38 days before his release on March 23.
During Sunday’s Easter celebration, Pope Francis greeted the crowd at Saint Peter’s Square with a heartfelt “Happy Easter” and delivered his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing, emphasizing the importance of freedom of thought and mutual respect.
