On Easter Monday, the world received the sad news that Pope Francis had died at home in his apartment at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Vatican City, at the age of 88. The director of the Vatican’s department of health services, Dr Andrea Arcangeli, confirmed that he had died of a stroke and heart attack, having struggled with lung disease in recent months. Just the previous day, the Pope had appeared in St Peter’s Square to bless the thousands of people gathered there to celebrate Easter, surprising the cheering crowds by making a circuit of the piazza in his popemobile.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced the Pope’s death in a statement released by the Vatican on Easter Monday at about 6pm Melbourne time, saying: ‘Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.
‘At 7.35am 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 His Church.
‘He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised.
‘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.’
Responding in his own statement on Monday night, Archbishop Peter A Comensoli said, ‘As the Church enters this time of Easter filled with the light and hope of the world, it is with deep sadness that we have received the news of the death of His Holiness, Pope.
Pope Francis, who came from the peripheries of the world, has been the father of the poor, and a witness of joy and hope. May the Lord, he so faithfully trusted, now welcome him into eternal life.
‘We unite with all the People of God in praying for the eternal rest of his soul and entrust him to the tender loving mercy of the Father.’
Noting that Pope Francis had come ‘from the peripheries of the world,’ Archbishop Comensoli said he ‘has been the Father of the poor, and a witness of joy and hope. May the Lord he so faithfully trusted now welcome him into eternal life.’
Written By Melbourne Catholic