The Vatican has announced the death of Pope Francis.
According to the Vatican News, Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.
Cardinal Farrell, camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, who announced Pope’s death, said he died at 7:35am.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7.35am, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” Farrell said.
“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church.
“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 the One and True God.”
The late Pope had earlier sent out Easter message to Christians across the world on Sunday.
“Christ is risen! These words capture the entire meaning of our existence, for we were not made for death but for life, ” he wrote on his official X handle.
“I would like us to renew our hope that #peace is possible! From the Holy Sepulchre, the Church of the Resurrection, where this year #Easter is being celebrated by Catholics and Orthodox on the same day, may the light of peace radiate throughout the Holy Land and the entire world.”
Pope Francis had been battling bilateral pneumonia and has been in and out of hospital for sometimes until March 23 when he was discharged.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936, he is the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic church.
