Pope Francis dies 

ArmInfo.    At 9:45 AM, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the death of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta with these words, Vatican News reports. 

"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the  death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 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 of His Church. He taught  us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and  universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most  marginalized. 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."

The Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on  Friday, February 14, 2025, after suffering from a bout of bronchitis  for several days.

Pope Francis' clinical situation gradually worsened, and his doctors  diagnosed bilateral pneumonia on Tuesday, February 18.

After 38 days in hospital, the late Pope returned to his Vatican  residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.

In 1957, in his early 20s, Jorge Mario Bergoglio underwent surgery in  his native Argentina to remove a portion of his lung that had been  affected by a severe respiratory infection.

As he aged, Pope Francis frequently suffered bouts of respiratory  illnesses, even cancelling a planned visit to the United Arab  Emirates in November 2023 due to influenza and lung inflammation.

In April 2024, the late Pope Francis approved an updated edition of  the liturgical book for papal funeral rites, which will guide the  funeral Mass which has yet to be announced.

The second edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis  introduces several new elements, including how the Pope's mortal  remains are to be handled after death.

The ascertainment of death takes place in the chapel, rather than in  the room where he died, and his body is immediately placed inside the  coffin.

According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic  Ceremonies, the late Pope Francis had requested that the funeral  rites be simplified and focused on expressing the faith of the Church  in the Risen Body of Christ.

"The renewed rite," said Archbishop Ravelli, "seeks to emphasise even  more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and  disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world."