Pope Francis died yesterday, Easter Monday, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. He was 88 years old. Source: Vatican News.
At 9.45am local time (5.45pm AEST), Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Holy See’s camerlengo, announced the Pope’s death with these words:
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7.35 this morning (3.45pm AEST), 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 marginalised.
“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.”
The Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on February 14, after suffering from a bout of bronchitis for several days.
Pope Francis’ clinical situation gradually worsened, and his doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia on February 18.
After 38 days in hospital, the Pope returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.
In April 2024, Francis approved an updated edition of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites, which will guide the funeral Mass, which has yet to be announced.
The second edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis introduces several new elements, including how the Pope’s mortal remains are to be handled after death.
The ascertainment of death takes place in the chapel, rather than in the room where he died, and his body is immediately placed inside the coffin.
According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, Pope Francis had requested that the funeral rites be simplified and focused on expressing the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ.
“The renewed rite,” said Archbishop Ravelli, “seeks to emphasise even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world.”
FULL STORY
Pope Francis has died on Easter Monday aged 88 (By Devin Watkins, Vatican News)
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