Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church for the past 12 years, has died at the age of 88 according to a statement from the Vatican.
“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 of his church,” stated Cardinal Kevin Farrell in a video statement.
Pope Francis died in his residence at the Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City from a cerebral stroke that put him in a coma and led to irreversible heart failure, per a statement from the Vatican.
His last public appearance occurred on Easter Sunday during the Urbi et Orbi blessing at the Vatican’s Saint Peter’s Square — a special blessing given on important dates for the Catholic Church. After declaring “Buona Pasqua” to the crowd, translating to “Happy Easter,” Pope Francis called on Archbishop Diego Ravelli to read the message he had written.
Pope Francis was previously admitted to Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14 for treatment of bronchitis, before developing pneumonia in both his lungs. On Feb. 22, the Vatican described his condition as critical and stated that he needed supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions.
Following a five-week stay, he was discharged from the hospital on March 23.
An image of Pope Francis hangs from within Christ the King Chapel at St. Paul’s College on campus. Photo by Milan Lukes
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936, was the first pope from the Americas and from the Jesuit Order — a religious order of men in the Catholic Church.
He was appointed a cardinal in 2001 and was elected as the 266th pope on March 13, 2013 after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI — the first pope to step down since 1415, according to the BBC.
In July 2022, Pope Francis visited Canada and gave a formal apology for the Catholic Church’s role in the Residential school system.
“I am here because the first step of my penitential pilgrimage among you is that of again asking forgiveness, of telling you once more that I am deeply sorry,” stated Pope Francis at a visit in Maskwacis, Alta.
“Sorry for the ways in which, regrettably, many Christians supported the colonizing mentality of the powers that oppressed the Indigenous peoples.”
Flag at St. Paul’s College lowered for the coming week
The Canada flag outside of St. Paul’s College was seen flying at half-mast on Monday. Photo by Milan Lukes
The Canadian flag outside of St. Paul’s College was lowered at half-mast this morning and will be lowered for the coming week, according to a social media post by St. Paul’s College.
“Both locally and globally, Pope Francis quickly became close to the heart of many Catholics and those of other Christian denominations and faiths,” read the post written by Cristopher Adams, rector of St. Paul’s College.
“We are all better people for learning about unconditional love and mercy from Pope Francis,” stated Adams.
A notice of the passing of Pope Francis was displayed outside of the entrance to the Christ the King Chapel at St. Paul’s College on Monday.
A notice of Pope Francis’ passing was displayed in St. Paul’s College on Monday. Photo by Milan Lukes
Pope Francis’ testament, which was released by the Vatican and dated June 29, 2022, states that he wishes to be buried in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.
“The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus,” reads the publicized English translation.
The global Catholic population was reported at over 1.4 billion in 2023, according to the Vatican’s Central Office of Church Statistics.
