Pope Francis Dies At 88, The Vatican Announces

Pope Francis died Monday morning, Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo has announced.

The Pope, who was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died at 07:35 local time on Easter Monday

The announcement said; “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home 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 faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized.

“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 God, One and Tribune″.

The death of Pope Francia comes a day after he appeared in St Peter’s Square to wish “Happy Easter” to thousands of worshippers

He was recently discharged from hospital last month after five weeks of treatment for an infection

The Vice President of the United States, JD Vance on Sunday, April 20, 2025, met briefly with Pope Francis  to exchange Easter greetings, after they got into a long-distance tangle over the Trump administration’s migrant deportation plans.

Pope Francis, who was recovering from a near-fatal bout of pneumonia, received Vance in one of the reception rooms of the Vatican hotel where he lived.

The Pope offered the Catholic Vice President three big chocolate Easter eggs for Vance’s three young children, who did not attend, as well as a Vatican tie and rosaries.

“I know you have not been feeling great but it’s good to see you in better health,” Vance had told the pope. “Thank you for seeing me.”

Vance’s motorcade entered Vatican City through a side gate while Easter Mass was being celebrated in St. Peter’s Square. Francis had delegated the celebration of the Mass to another cardinal.

The Vatican said they met for a few minutes at the Domus Santa Marta “to exchange Easter greetings.”

Vance’s office said the Vice President “expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for inviting him to meet on Easter Sunday and for the hospitality the Vatican has extended to his family.”

World leaders pay tribute to his “contagious smile” and “boundless compassion”, with French President Emmanuel Macron calling him a “man of humility”

…Source: AP and BBC