Pope Francis dies at aged 88years; Leader of Roman Catholic Church' Today

 

• Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican says in a video statement.
• “At 7:35 [05:35 GMT] this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,” Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced.

Pope Francis greets the crowd from the popemobile after the Easter mass at St Peter's square yesterday.

The death of Pope Francis on Monday morning would have come as a shock to many, after he made a few high-profile appearances over the Easter weekend.

Easter is the most important festival in the Christian calendar and while Francis did not lead the main Holy Week and Easter services, he did make brief appearances.

On Thursday, Francis spent 30 minutes at a prison in Rome.

On Saturday, the pontiff visited St. Peters Basilica in the evening.

On Sunday, he delighted crowds after giving the traditional Easter blessing from the balcony of St. Peters Basilica.

He offered the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing to the “City [of Rome] and to the World” while an aide read his address. Only the pope can offer this blessing which includes the offer of an indulgence, a remission for the effect of sins. His voice sounded weak but he appeared without the nasal canula he has been wearing to receive oxygen as he said “Brothers and Sisters, Happy Easter.”

He later greeted cheering crowds in St. Peter’s Square from the pope mobile, the first time he had done so since his hospitalization.

Earlier on Easter Sunday, before giving the blessing, Francis had a private meeting with US Vice President JD Vance.

GIORGIA MELONI

Giorgia Meloni is an Italian politician who has served as Prime Minister of Italy since 2022. She is the first woman to hold the office.

Born: 15 January 1977 (age 48 years), Rome, Italy

Party: Brothers of Italy

Previous offices: Member of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy (2018–2022) · See more

Organization founded: Brothers of Italy

Previous campaigns: 2024 Italy European Parliament election - North-East · See more

Office: Italian Prime Minister

 In her words..."His teaching and his legacy will not be lost. we greet the Holy Father with hearts full of saidness, but we know that he is in the peace of the lord."

EMMANUEL MACRON 

Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron is a French politician who has served as President of France and Co-Prince of Andorra since 2017. He was Minister of Economics, Industry and Digital Affairs under President François Hollande between 2014-16. He has been a member of Renaissance since he founded it in 2016. 

Born: 21 December 1977 (age 47 years), Amiens, France

Spouse: Brigitte Macron (m. 2007)

Party: Renaissance

Presidential term: 14 May 2017 –

Education: École Nationale d'Administration (2002–2004) · See more

Parents: Françoise Noguès, Jean-Michel Macron

Office: President of France

 Says..."From Buenos Airs to Rome' Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest' that it could unite people with each other and with nature."

PEDRO SANCHEZ Spain Prime Minister

Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón is a Spanish politician who has served as Prime Minister of Spain since 2018. He has also been Secretary-General of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party since 2017, having previously held that office from 2014 to 2016, and was elected President of the Socialist International in 2022. 

Born: 29 February 1972 (age 53 years), Madrid, Spain

Spouse: Begoña Gómez (m. 2006)

Party: Spanish Socialist Workers' Party

Education: Camilo Jose Cela University (2012) · See more

Height: 1.9 m

Office: Prime Minister of Spain

Children: Carlota Sánchez Gómez and Ainhoa Sánchez Gómez

"I mourn the passing of Pope Francis. His commitment to peace' social justice' and the most vulnerable leaves a profound legacy. Rest in peace."