Pope Francis passes away on Easter Monday

Courtesy: WikiPedia

Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, has passed away at the age of 88. The Vatican announced his death moments ago, confirming that he died peacefully in his residence at the Vatican after a prolonged battle with health issues, including respiratory problems and a recent hospitalization for a lung infection.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, was elected as pope in March 2013, making history as the first pope from Latin America. Throughout his papacy, he was known for his emphasis on compassion, social justice, and environmental issues, as well as his efforts to reform the Catholic Church.

In recent months, the pope had been experiencing declining health, leading to speculation about his ability to continue his duties. In August, he underwent surgery for abdominal issues, but he had resumed public appearances, albeit with a reduced schedule.

The Vatican has announced that a period of mourning will be observed, and preparations for a state funeral are underway. Cardinals from around the world are expected to gather in Rome to pay their respects.

In a statement regarding the passing of Pope Francis, Archbishop Ryan Jimenez of Guam said, in part (see below), “The Catholic Church on Guam joins the rest of the Church and many others worldwide in mourning the passing of our Shepherd on Earth, Holy Father Pope Francis today. His absence already leaves a big hole in our hearts.”