Pope Francis passed away this morning, Easter Monday, at the age of 88. The Holy Father had struggled for months with serious health issues, including pneumonia and numerous respiratory failures.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” stated Cardinal Kevin Farrell. “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 fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of 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 the One and Triune God.”
Pope Francis’ papacy was memorable for his outreach to the poor and oppressed, especially his concern for the plight of migrants. He was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Pope St. John Paul II appointed him as a cardinal in 2001, and he was elected pope in March of 2013. Pope Francis was the first Latin American pope, and the first to take the name of St. Francis of Assisi, a sign of his great love and dedication to the poor.
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