Pope Francis: tributes paid after head of Catholic church dies aged 88 – latest updates

Worldwide tributes are being offered in remembrance of Pope Francis, following the Vatican’s confirmation of his death. The head of the Catholic Church was 88 years old.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Vatican, officially announced Pope Francis’s passing on Monday morning.

In his statement, Cardinal Farrell said, “At 7:35 this morning, Francis, the Bishop of Rome, peacefully passed away and returned to the house of the Father. His life was entirely committed to serving the Lord and His Church. He imparted to us the importance of embodying the Gospel’s principles with unwavering faith, bravery, and inclusive affection, especially for those most impoverished and excluded.”

Farrell continued, “With profound thankfulness for his role as a genuine follower of the Lord Jesus, we entrust Pope Francis’s soul to the boundless and compassionate love of God, who is One and Triune.”

Pope Francis’s Recent Health History

Francis, who had a history of chronic lung issues and had undergone a lung resection in his youth, was hospitalized at Gemelli hospital on February 14th due to a respiratory crisis that evolved into double pneumonia. His 38-day stay marked his longest hospitalization during his 12-year tenure as Pope.

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Prior to his final hospitalization, Pope Francis celebrated Easter Sunday by bestowing blessings upon thousands gathered for mass in St Peter’s Square. He also surprised attendees with a popemobile tour around the piazza that Sunday.

Despite his age, the 88-year-old pontiff did not preside over mass in the square, instead entrusting the service to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the former Archpriest of St Peter’s Basilica.

Earlier in February, Francis received a diagnosis of bronchitis. However, he continued to conduct daily audiences from his Vatican hotel suite and even led an open-air Mass on Sunday, February 9th.

In recent appearances, he had delegated speech delivery to an aide, citing breathing difficulties.

Francis, who had a portion of his lung removed at 21, had a long-standing struggle with health issues, particularly recurring episodes of acute bronchitis during winter. He had also been using mobility aids, such as a wheelchair, walker, or cane, within his residence.

The Pope’s susceptibility to pulmonary infections was heightened by a prior pleurisy diagnosis – an inflammatory condition affecting the lung’s outer lining – in adulthood.

Polish President Andrzej Duda conveyed that the Pope was a significant advocate for Mercy, whom he regarded as an answer to contemporary global challenges.

Duda expressed on X:

In his pastoral ministry, he was guided by humility and simplicity.

Friedrich Merz, anticipated to be inaugurated as German chancellor next month, voiced his “profound sadness” regarding the Pope’s demise.

Merz communicated via X, “Francis will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to society’s most vulnerable, advocating for justice and reconciliation. His guiding principles were humility and faith in God’s compassion.”

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier remarked that the world has “lost a prominent symbol of optimism.”

Steinmeier elaborated in a statement, “His humility, spontaneity, and sense of humor, coupled with his palpably deep faith, resonated with individuals globally, providing them with solace, fortitude, and direction. For numerous individuals, Francis embodied the Christian doctrine, prioritizing the practical application of faith. From the outset of his service as Bishop of Rome, he emphasized his commitment to the impoverished and marginalized, the uprooted, and refugees, assuring them of his focused attention, care, and profound affection. Many who felt overlooked found themselves acknowledged, seen, and understood by him, the Pope.”

A declaration from Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, the President of the Conference of European Rabbis, stated:

Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis (CER), expressed the CER’s heartfelt grief to the Holy See on the death of His Holiness Pope Francis.

Chief Rabbi Goldschmidt commemorates Pope Francis’s steadfast commitment to promoting global harmony and benevolence. He also fondly recalls his numerous encounters with the Pope and his endeavors to fortify Catholic-Jewish relations, notably their meeting at the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the 1965 Declaration from the Second Vatican Council that profoundly reshaped interfaith discourse.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed that the news of Pope Francis’s death evoked immense sorrow, lamenting the loss of “an exceptional individual, a devoted shepherd,” according to Reuters.

In her official statement, Meloni conveyed:

I was honored to experience his friendship, his guidance, and his wisdom, which he generously offered even during periods of adversity and suffering.
We bid farewell to the Holy Father with profound sadness.

The Archbishop of York has lauded Pope Francis as a “holy man of God” who was “also remarkably human,” as reported by PA News.

Stephen Cottrell articulated in a statement on X:

Francis’s entire existence and ministry were anchored in Jesus, who arrives amongst us not to command service, but to offer it.

This was powerfully evident in Francis’s service to the needy, his compassion for others, notably the uprooted, migrants, asylum seekers, his deep concern for the planet’s well-being, and his aspiration to guide and evolve the church in innovative ways.

Acknowledging the Pope’s dedication to working in tandem with the Church of England, despite doctrinal “differences” with the Catholic Church, Archbishop Cottrell reminisced about Pope Francis’s milestone visit to South Sudan in 2023, alongside the former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Reverend Dr Iain Greenshields.

“Pope Francis was keenly aware of the separations among our churches and how these divisions impede a fuller perception of Jesus Christ,” remarked Archbishop Cottrell.

He further added:

In my brief encounters with him, I recall this holy servant of God being remarkably approachable.

He possessed wit, vitality, and was delightful company. His affable personality and genuine interest in individuals were readily apparent.

Pope Francis adopted a noticeably more informal style compared to his predecessors and became recognized for his capacity to connect with the public, as well as for his humility, famously rejecting some of the opulent customs associated with his high office. Below is a collection of photographs of the Pope from 2013 onwards – the year Time Magazine designated him as their Person of the Year, following the Argentinian’s historic election as the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church:

US Vice President JD Vance shared a homage on X:

I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart is with the millions of Christians globally who revered him. I was fortunate to see him yesterday, despite his evident illness. I will always cherish his homily during the early days of COVID; it was exceptionally moving. May God grant him eternal peace. https://vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2020/documents/papa-francesco_20200327_omelia-epidemia.html

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that throughout his papacy, Pope Francis consistently stood in solidarity with the most vulnerable and fragile, executing this with considerable humility.

Macron conveyed to reporters, “Particularly amidst times of conflict and harshness, he possessed a profound empathy for others, especially the most vulnerable.”

He extended gratitude to the Pope for his various visits to France, notably his trip to Corsica last December.

Macron articulated his sympathies “to Catholics globally,” anticipating “significant grief” both in France and internationally.

Pope Francis was recognized by Israel’s President Isaac Herzog as a figure of profound faith, peace, and empathy who cultivated connections with the Jewish community.

In a statement shared on X, President Herzog characterized Pope Francis as:

A man distinguished by deep faith and immeasurable compassion, he dedicated his life to elevating the impoverished and advocating for peace in a world beset by turmoil.

It is my sincere hope that his prayers for amity in the Middle East and for the secure return of the hostages (in Gaza) will soon be realized.

Pope Francis was unequivocally a man deeply connected to the common people, remarked Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof in an official statement on X.

Prime Minister Schoof elaborated:

The global Catholic community mourns the loss of a leader who acknowledged and highlighted the pressing concerns of our era. Through his modest lifestyle, compassionate deeds, and acts of service, Pope Francis served as an exemplar for countless individuals—both Catholic and non-Catholic. We commemorate him with immense respect.

Tributes continue to emerge for the Pope, with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon posting on X:

I am saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis. A person of great humility, his legacy includes an enduring dedication to the vulnerable, social justice, and promoting dialogue between faiths. My thoughts are with Catholics and all those in New Zealand and around the globe who are grieving his loss.

Just yesterday, Pope Francis made an appearance at the Vatican’s St Peter’s Square.

The 88-year-old Pope emerged in a wheelchair and waved from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, addressing the assembled crowds with: “Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter.”

However, his Easter message was read aloud by a member of the clergy.

Following the address, the Pope was transported around the square in the popemobile.

Last month, Pope Francis was released from the hospital following a five-week period of treatment for double pneumonia.

Vatican News has released the official Vatican statement on X:

At 9:45 am local time on Easter Monday, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, delivered the following address at the Casa Santa Marta:

Beloved brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness that I must declare the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, Francis, the Bishop of Rome, returned to the abode of the Father. His entire existence was committed to the service of the Lord and His Church. He instructed us to embody the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, particularly towards the most destitute and marginalized. Offering boundless gratitude for his model 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.

Tributes are being offered for Pope Francis following the Vatican’s announcement confirming his death. He was 88 years of age.

Pope Francis passed away on Monday morning, as communicated by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican Camerlengo.

“This morning at 7:35, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the dwelling of the Father. His entire life was consecrated to the ministry of the Lord and his Church,” stated Farrell in the announcement. “He demonstrated for us how to embody the virtues of the Gospel with devotion, bravery, and universal compassion, with a special focus on the most impoverished and neglected.”

“Expressing deep gratitude for his embodiment of a genuine disciple of the Lord Jesus, we entrust the spirit of Pope Francis to the eternal, merciful love of God, in His singular and triune nature.”

Details Surrounding Pope Francis’s Health and Hospitalization

Francis, who battled chronic pulmonary illness and had a segment of a lung surgically removed in his youth, was admitted to Gemelli hospital on February 14th due to a respiratory distress, which was subsequently diagnosed as double pneumonia. He remained hospitalized for 38 days, marking the longest duration of hospitalization within his 12-year papacy.

On Easter Sunday, Pope Francis officiated a blessing for thousands gathered for mass in St Peter’s Square, followed unexpectedly by a tour around the piazza in the popemobile that Sunday.

The 88-year-old pontiff did not lead the mass within the square himself, assigning the service instead to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired archpriest of St Peter’s Basilica.

Francis had been diagnosed with bronchitis in early February but had persisted in holding daily audiences within his Vatican residence and even conducted an outdoor Mass on Sunday, February 9th.

However, he had begun delegating the reading of his speeches to an aide, citing difficulties with breathing.

Francis, having undergone a lung resection at 21 years old, had a history of confronting health challenges, notably frequent episodes of acute bronchitis in the winter and had resorted to using a wheelchair, walker, or cane for mobility within his living quarters.

The Pope’s vulnerability to lung infections was amplified due to a past diagnosis of pleurisy – an inflammation of the lung’s delicate outer lining – in his adult years.