WORLD MOURNS AS POPE FRANCIS DI£S AGED 88
In a solemn address delivered at 9:45 AM from the Casa Santa Marta, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the passing of Pope Francis.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Cardinal Farrell declared. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”
The 88-year-old Pontiff died following a prolonged battle with respiratory illness. He had been admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on Friday, February 14, 2025, after suffering from bronchitis. His condition deteriorated over the days, and by Tuesday, February 18, he was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. Despite being discharged after 38 days to continue his recovery at the Casa Santa Marta, his health never fully recovered.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, had a long history of respiratory complications. At the age of 21, he underwent a lung surgery due to a severe infection, and recurring respiratory issues marked his papacy, including a cancelled trip to the UAE in 2023 due to lung inflammation.
Known for his unwavering commitment to the poor, the marginalized, and the global Church, Pope Francis became a symbol of humility and service. “He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love,” Cardinal Farrell added in his tribute.
In a move that now seems prophetic, Pope Francis in April 2024 approved a revised edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the liturgical guide for papal funerals. The updated rite, as explained by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, reflects the late Pope’s desire for simplicity and spiritual depth. The revised protocol shifts the ascertainment of death to a chapel and calls for immediate placement of the body in a coffin, emphasizing the Pope as a shepherd rather than a figure of worldly power.
Funeral arrangements are expected to follow this simplified and spiritually focused structure, though official details have not yet been announced.
As the world mourns the passing of the 266th pope, tributes continue to pour in for a man whose legacy reshaped the papacy and brought the Church closer to the fringes of society he so passionately embraced.
