Pope Francis Dies at 88 Following Extended Illness

Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88 after a prolonged illness, according to an official Vatican statement released Monday. His death was announced by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, who stated that the pontiff passed away at 7:35 in the morning.
“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,” Cardinal Ferrell said. “He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized.”
Francis’s death comes just one day after he made a surprise public appearance on Easter Sunday, where he greeted more than 35,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square. This was his most significant public outing since recovering from a severe case of double pneumonia.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936, to Italian immigrant parents, Francis was elected pope on March 13, 2013, becoming the first Latin American to lead the Roman Catholic Church. Before entering the priesthood, he worked as a chemical technician. He joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1958.
His papacy, lasting just over 11 years, was characterized by efforts to reform the Church, which sometimes created tension and division among its members.
Succession Process
Following the death of a pope, the Catholic Church enters a period known as “sede vacante,” or “empty seat,” during which elaborate traditional protocols are followed. This includes a mourning period, the late pope’s funeral, and preparations for a conclave—the private gathering of cardinals who will elect the next pontiff.
According to reports, Pope Francis had previously prepared a letter of resignation that would be invoked if he became medically incapable of making decisions, though this situation did not arise before his passing.
Cardinals from around the world will now convene at the Vatican to begin the process of selecting Francis’s successor as the leader of the world’s approximately 1.3 billion Catholics.

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