Pope Francis, whose cheerful disposition, humility and genuine concern for the poor made him among the most popular heads of Vatican, died a day after the Catholic throughout the world completed the observance of the Holy Week. He was 88.



Cardinal Kevin Ferrel, the Vatican camerlengo, aired the official announcement from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta as bells from church towers in the Vatican and across Rome tolled for the sorrowful news.



“At 7:35 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 his Church,” said Ferrel.



“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, courate and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized,” he said.



Ferrel added: “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.”



Official cause of death has yet to be confirmed by Vatican authorities but it is believed that it is related to the bronchitis-triggered bilateral pneumonia the Pope fought since his hospitalization on February 14.



Following his 38 days of hospitalization, the well-loved Catholic leader was discharged from the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital and returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta.



The first Jesuit and Latin American to become head of the Roman Catholic Church, Jorge Mario Bergoglio experienced a lung issue in 1957 when he was in his early 20s. The procedure which resulted in the removal of a portion of his lung affected by a severe respiratory infection was successful.



However, respiratory problems continued to bother him. In November 2023, the Pontiff was forced to cancel a trip to the United Arab Emirates due to influenza and lung inflammation.



An updated edition of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites will be applied on him. it was Pope Francis who approved the second edition of Ordo Exsequiarum Roman Pontificis which serves as a guide for the funeral Mass and other ceremonies for a deceased pope.



Notwithstanding the fact that he remained under medical vigilance, Pope Francis spent his final days participating in various church services, including the celebration of Easter last Sunday.



He offered the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing to the “City (of Rome) and to the World” with an aide reading his address. Under Catholic ceremonies, only a pope can offer the blessing that includes the offer of an indulgence, which in effect, grants the remission of sins.



During the observance of the Holy Week, Pope Francis also made brief appearances, including making a 30-minute visit at a prison in Rome on Maundy Thursday. He also visited St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday evening.



On board the popemobile, Pope Francis personally greeted crowds in ST. Peter’s Square which was the first close encounter he had with public following his hospitalization.



US Vice President JD Vance, a Roman Catholic, was briefly received by Pope Francis recently, making him the last foreign civilian dignitary to have met him.