Tragic News: Pope Francis Has Passed Away
With deep sorrow, we announce that Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has passed away. This information is confirmed by Reuters, citing official statements from the Vatican.
He was 88 years old and had recently suffered from severe bilateral pneumonia.
«Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,» – quotes cardinals Kevin Farrell according to Reuters.
«This morning at 7:35, the bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father,» the cardinal noted.
Thus, emphasizes Reuters, came the end of a often controversial papacy marked by division and tension as Francis sought to reform one of the largest religious organizations in the world.
Earlier, Ukrinform reported that 88-year-old Pope Francis was hospitalized in a Roman hospital «Gemelli» with a severe respiratory infection on February 14.
Initially, he was treated for bronchitis, but later diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia.
He spent several weeks in the hospital, and this deterioration in his health was the most serious in his 12 years of papacy.
The head of the Holy See had only a few public appearances after he was discharged from the hospital on March 23 and returned to the Vatican. He missed the solemn services on Good Friday and Holy Saturday.
On Sunday, April 20, Pope Francis had a brief private meeting with U.S. Vice President Jay D. Vance.
Also, on Easter Sunday, the pontiff appeared before the public to bless thousands of people gathered for mass in St. Peter's Square.
