The Bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church, Mario Bergoglio, popularly called Pope Francis, has been pronounced dead at the age of 88 after prolonged battle with an undisclosed ailment.
Pope Francis was pronounced dead by the Vatican barely 24 hours after greeting crowds on Easter Sunday in St Peter’s Square, giving the worshippers hopes that the clergyman would be returning to office soon to perform his daily task.
The clergyman, who was confirmed dead on Monday by the Vatican, was the first from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, and the first born or raised outside Europe since the 8th-century to occupy the seat.
Announcing the death, the Vatican said: “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. 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 favour 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. Thank you.”
Francis had experienced a string of health worries in recent years and spent 38 days on hospital beds in February and March 2025, and had survived a serious bout of double pneumonia.
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