Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 89. This was announced by the press service of the Holy See.
"Dear brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis." said in a statement Cardinal Farrell. According to him, the pontiff died on 21 April at 07:35.
He noted that Pope Francis has dedicated his entire life to the service of the Lord and his Church.
Only a day before, Francis had blessed the faithful on the occasion of Easter. He came before them on the balcony of St Peter's Cathedral. The pontiff could only say a few words. A TASS correspondent was one of the many journalists who covered Francis' last appearance. He looked very weak, yet he wanted to take part in the Easter celebrations.
The last politician to meet him was the American Vice President J. D. Vance, whom the Pope received privately.
On 23 March, Francis was released from the hospital, where he spent almost 40 days. He was being treated for a complicated form of pneumonia and, as his doctors later said, he was twice in danger of dying. The pontiff was ordered a two-month complete rest, but began briefly leaving his residence in the former Vatican hotel, St. Martha's, to visit St. Peter's Basilica. On Sunday, the head of the Roman Catholic Church drove the papal car through a square packed with the faithful.
Francis himself had already described the funeral ritual and simplified its procedures. He wished to be buried in the papal basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (Our Lady of Grace), which he always visited for prayers, especially before and after foreign visits.
Tass/gnews.cz
