Pope Francis passed away

Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died, announced the Vatican Today Monday.

He was 88 years old and had suffered from various diseases in the 12 years he remained on the papal throne.

Cardinal Joseph Farrell, a temporary commander of the Vatican, officially announced the death of Pope Francis in the following written statement: “Dear sisters and brothers, with deep pain I must announce the death of St. Father. At 7:35 this morning, Bishop of Rome Francis returned to the Father’s house. His entire life was devoted to service to the Lord and his Church.

»He taught us to live the values ​​of the Gospel with faith, courage and universal love. Especially in favor of the poorer and marginalized. With unlimited gratitude for his example, the real disciple of the Lord Jesus, we deliver the soul of Pope Francis to the full mercy of God. “

The news of his death has shocked the international community, with believers already gathering in the Vatican to pay tribute.

View of St. Peter’s Square Following Pope Francis’ Death https://t.co/peju0kotse

– Reuters (@reuters) April 21, 2025

Two months ago, Pope Francis had been suffering from double pneumonia, for which he was hospitalized for some time, unfortunately without being able to recover completely.

Yesterday, Easter Sunday, he was unable to perform the Divine Liturgy, but made a brief appearance with Papamobile. Many faithful and commentators noticed that the “Pope of the Poor” was very weak and paid.

Yesterday he had a brief meeting with US Vice President Jay Di Vance who was in Rome for Easter days

The 12 -year -old Pontiff has suffered from many health problems throughout his life. At 21 he had undergone partial removal of one of his lungs.

What had he decided on his burial

Pope Francis, who avoided the demonstrations and privileges of his post, had decided that a simple, wooden coffin was enough when the time would come for his funeral.

The Vatican officially announced last November that Francis would give up a centuries -old practice, who wants Pontiff to be buried in three successive coffins, made of cypress, lead and oak. On the contrary, it will be buried in a simple, wooden coffin with zinc coating.

Francis’ body is expected to not It is exposed to a popular pilgrimage to the Basilica of St. Peter, as was the case with its predecessors. Visitors will be able to submit their respects, but his body will remain in the coffin, with the lid closed.

Franciscus, which ended in his 88th year on December 17, has faced various health problems in recent years. He used a wheelchair for his commute because he was in pain on his knees and back. However, last September he made two demanding trips abroad and last October hosted the Synod of the Roman Catholic Church leaders in the Vatican.

Already in the past, Francis had said that he wanted to simplify the magnificent ceremonies organized for the funerals of his predecessors.

He is the first Pope for over a century that will be buried outside the Vatican. Instead of being buried in the Basilica of St. Peter, where 91 Pontificals rest, Francis prefers the Basilica of the Virgin Mary in Rome because he is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. He went to this church to pray before and after his travels abroad.

The last Pope to be buried outside the Vatican was Leo III, who died in 1903 and rests in the Basilica of St. John in Latrianos, Rome.

The three coffins are traditionally used for burial to airtight the Pontiff’s body. This is also given the opportunity to be buried with him coins or decrees issued by the Pope during his term of office.

“I want a decent coffin, but like all Christians”

Pope Francis last year described how he wanted his funeral. These references are contained in a book-interview with a Spanish journalist entitled “The Successor”.

This book states that, after his death, the Pontiff is to be placed in a simple casket “decent, but as it is for every Christian”. That is, his body will not be exposed to a large wooden base, as was the case with his predecessors.

“The ceremonies so far were overly loaded, we have removed many things,” said the Pope, who had confirmed that he did not want to be buried in the Vatican, but to the Basilica of Santa Maria Majiore, dedicated to Virgo, which is central to Rome.

“There is a room in this church where the candlesticks keep and they assured me that everything is ready for my burial.” Francis had said, during a dialogue with the Spanish journalist.

The funeral, as reformed by the Pope himself, provides only one alert, and not two, without any particular ceremony.

Humble way of life

Pope Francis, worldly Jorge Mario Bergolio, was born on December 17, 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina to Italian parents. Marios’ father was an accountant working on the railways, and his mother Regina Sivori focused on raising their five children.

It was the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and was elected on March 13, 2013. The name he chose was in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. He himself was the first Pope from Latin America, but also from America in general, as well as the first Jesuit Pope.

Like much of the Argentines, Pope Francis was of Italian descent, and more specifically than Pedemon. On December 13, 1969, he was ordained a priest by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano.

According to his official biography from the Vatican, Pope Francis was a prominent personality throughout Epirus, but remained a simple pastor.

“My people are poor and I am one of them,” he has said many times, explaining his decision to live in an apartment and cook his own dinner. He always advised his priests to look mercy and to have their doors open to everyone.

In his first speech, on March 16, 2013, Francis told reporters that he had chosen to be named in honor of St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) because he was particularly concerned about the well-being of the poor.

He had studied chemistry, philosophy and theology.

During the military dictatorship, he tried to help clergy and lay people.

According to reports in the Italian press, his youth, in order to be able to study, he had worked at a private security company as a “security”.

Meanwhile, in 2013 the television had reported that Pope Francis personally went by Vatican car to take his luggage from a Catholic hospitality center where he was staying, until the start of Congglav.

The Catholic Clergy Center is located near the central Piazza Navona and many commentators emphasized that it was at least unusual and an indication of a renewal for a newly elected Pontiff that it chooses to take care of highly practical obligations like this.

“Face of the Year” of Time Magazine in 2013

Pope Francis was chosen as “Face of the Year” 2013 by the American magazine Time, because he changed the “tone, perception and approach” of the Roman Catholic Church, Nancy Gibbs’ director NBC had announced.

“She pulled out her palace from her palace to bring her on the road, pushed the world’s largest church to face her deepest needs, and restored the right balance between the crisis and compassion,” Gimps said.