POPE FRANCIS, THE 266TH HEAD OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH , DIED ON MONDAY, ONE DAY AFTER EASTER AND NEARLY A MONTH SINCE HIS RELEASE FROM THE HOSPITAL, THE VATICAN CONFIRMED
Farrel said the Pope died at exactly 7.35am
In 1957, in his early 20s, Jorge Mario Bergoglio underwent surgery in his native Argentina to remove a part of one of his lung which had been affected by a severe respiratory infection, was admitted to Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome on 14 February for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia and spent 38 days there.
As he aged, Pope Francis frequently suffered a series of respiratory illnesses and occasionally cancelled planned visits including a visit to the United Arab Emirates in November 2023 due to influenza and lung inflammation.
The pontiff, who was discharged from hospital on 23 March, made his last public appearance on Sunday, when he spoke briefly to the crowds gathered in St Peter’s Square for Easter mass.
The mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, said: “Rome, Italy and the world are mourning an extraordinary man, a humble and courageous pastor who knew how to speak to everyone’s heart.”
According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, the late Pope Francis had requested that the rites for PayPal funerals be simplified as he had already planned his tomb in the basilica Santa Maria Maggiore in Esquilino neighbourhood in Rome, where he went to pray before and after trips overseas and focus on expressing the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ. Meanwhile Popes are usually buried with much fanfare in the grottoes beneath St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
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