Cause of death for Pope Francis 'revealed' as pontiff dies at 88
passed away after serving as the head of the Catholic Church for 12 years.
While the official cause of death is yet to be confirmed, he had been battling health issues following a five-week hospital stay.
Doctors at Gemelli Hospital
have stated that Pope Francis "passed away peacefully" due to a brain issue, possibly a stroke, with no apparent connection to recent respiratory problems, as reported by
local news outlet 'La Repubblica.'
The Vatican
announced the Pope's passing
this morning through a senior Vatican official.
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Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, stated: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 am this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.
"His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church. He taught us to live the Gospel values with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised."
"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."
This news follows his appearance at St. Peter's Square at the Vatican yesterday, Easter Sunday, where he greeted thousands of worshippers to wish them a happy Easter.
He missed the solemn Good Friday and Holy Saturday services leading up to Easter but made an appearance on Sunday.
Emerging from his recovery just in time for Easter Sunday, Pope Francis delivered blessings to the masses gathered in St Peter's Square and even gave them an unanticipated treat with a joyous spin around the piazza in his popemobile, eliciting enthusiastic cheers.
Having just gotten over a severe case of double pneumonia, the pope graced the public once again on April 6 — this time in a wheelchair — during a special Jubilee Mass for those who are ill, fresh from a two-week hospital stay.
At age 88, Francis was treated for not only double pneumonia but also chronic bronchitis, enduring multiple respiratory emergencies that nearly cost him his life, until a turn for the better.
Pope Francis' doctors have disclosed some grim details, admitting that at one point, they contemplated "letting him go" as he faced death twice during his treatment.
The globe's first pontiff from Latin America, Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, infused new life into the ancient institution of the Catholic Church when he ascended in 2013.
He assumed leadership at a time when the Catholic Church's clout was on the decline, following the turbulent reign of Pope Benedict XVI, whose unexpected resignation opened the path for Francis' ascendancy.
Papal funerals have historically been elaborate events, yet Pope Francis has recently approved a complete simplification of this tradition.
He chose a modest wooden coffin lined with zinc, inviting mourners to pay their respects while his body remained in the coffin, breaking away from the usual tradition of being placed on a raised platform.
His final resting place will be in the Basilica of St Mary Major, one of Rome's four major papal basilicas.
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Cardinal Becciu bows out of Vatican conclave after Pope's letter
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