Pope Francis Passes Away, Cremation: The Vatican on Tuesday said that Pope Francis’ funeral will be held on Saturday this week at 10:00 am at St. Peter’s Basilica. Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Monday morning. He was 88 years old and died at 1:35 am EST.
The Vatican late on Monday announced that Pope died following a cerebral stroke, which left him in a coma and resulted in irreversible heart failure. Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, head of the Vatican’s health services, confirmed that the Pope had also been battling respiratory complications, bilateral pneumonia, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension.
The Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Hospital after suffering from bronchitis for several days, the Vatican news said. It further said that his condition got worse when on February 18, doctors found that he had pneumonia in both lungs. After spending 38 days in the hospital, he returned to his home at the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican to recover.
When he was in his early 20s, in 1957, Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis) had part of one lung removed due to a serious infection. Over the years, he often had breathing problems. In 2023, he had to even cancel a trip to the UAE because of the flu and lung inflammation.
In April 2024, Pope Francis had approved a new version of the Church’s funeral guide for popes. This version will be used for his own funeral, though the date hasn’t been announced yet. The updated guide includes new steps, such as moving the Pope’s body to a chapel right after death, rather than keeping it in the room where he passed away. His body will also be placed in a coffin immediately.
Pope Francis Death, Passes Away: Pope Francis Last Rites, Cremation, Funeral Highlights
Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican said in a video statement. With this comes to an end an often turbulent reign marked by division and tension as he sought to overhaul the hidebound institution.
He was 88, and had recently survived a serious bout of double pneumonia.
“Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced on the Vatican’s TV channel.
“At 7:35 this morning the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”
The Vatican confirmed the passing of Pope Francis on Monday morning. The announcement was made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who serves as the camerlengo—a senior official responsible for church matters during the time between popes. He informed that the Pope died at 7:35 am and described him as someone who spent his entire life serving God and the Church. Farrell also said that Pope Francis lived out the values of the Gospel with courage, faith, and love for everyone, especially those who are poor or pushed to the margins of society.