VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis died yesterday at the age of 88, just a day after making a surprise appearance at Saint Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said.
“With deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” said Cardinal Kevin Farrell in a statement on the Vatican’s Telegram channel. “This morning at 7.35 am (0535 GMT), the Bishop of Rome returned to the home of the Father.”
Despite recovering from a serious bout of pneumonia that saw him hospitalised for 38 days, Francis greeted crowds on Sunday with his “Urbi et Orbi” blessing, calling for freedom of thought and tolerance.
His passing comes after two near-death scares earlier this year. He was discharged from hospital on March 23. – AFP
