BREAKING NEWS: Pope Francis Dies At 88

By The9jaTREND

Pope Francis, the first non-European pontiff in nearly 1,300 years, died on Easter Monday. He was 88 years old.

The Vatican confirmed the news today, coming after the Pope spent his final weeks in hospital with an infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs.

According to CNN report, “Pope Francis spent his final days in service of the church, participating as much as he could in the celebration of Easter, the high point of the Christian calendar.

“The 88-year-old pontiff did not lead the main Holy Week and Easter services but has made brief appearances over the weekend, including spending 30 minutes at a prison in Rome on Thursday and making a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday evening.

“And then on Sunday morning, he was able to offer the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing to the “City [of Rome] and to the World” while an aide read his address. Only the pope can offer this blessing which includes the offer of an indulgence, a remission for the effect of sins.

“He later greeted cheering crowds in St. Peter’s Square from the popemobile, the first time he has done so since his hospitalization. He also met briefly with US Vice President JD Vance, who is the last foreign civic dignitary to have met with Pope Francis.

“It is quite extraordinary that after the highest point of the church’s liturgical year, at the highest point, the Pope then passes on and it’s, in some ways quite fitting, because of course the Easter message is all about the death and new life.

“The last days of Francis were really dedicated to serving the church, to continuing his ministry right until the end. He did not resign, as some people speculated (he would). He always signaled his determination to go until the end, to serve until the very last moment.”