Pope Francis, the first leader of the Roman Catholic Church from Latin America, has passed away, as announced by the Vatican on Monday. He was 88 years old. Cardinal Kevin Farrell shared the news on the Vatican’s television channel, stating, “Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness 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.”In February, Pope Francis, who had been battling chronic lung disease and had undergone surgery to remove part of one lung in his youth, was hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli hospital due to a respiratory crisis that escalated into double pneumonia. His stay lasted 38 days, marking the longest hospitalization during his 12-year papacy. The specific cause of his death has not yet been disclosed. On Sunday, during his Easter address, Pope Francis advocated for freedom of thought and tolerance. From his wheelchair on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, he greeted the crowd below with a weak voice, saying, “Happy Easter,” which delighted the attendees in the flower-adorned square. He also had a brief, cordial meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance. In Paris, in remembrance of Pope Francis, the bells of Notre Dame cathedral rang 88 times, and city officials announced that the lights of the Eiffel Tower would be turned off on Monday night as a tribute to the Pope.
