By David Simeon

Pope Francis has been confirmed dead at the age of 88, passing away on Easter Monday, April 21st.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Pope Francis revitalized a 2,000-year-old institution when he assumed the papacy in March 2013. His election came after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, a period when the influence of the Catholic Church had been waning.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican’s camerlengo, announced the pope’s death at 7:35 a.m. local time (05:35 GMT).

“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the Lord’s embrace,” Farrell said in his statement. “His entire life was devoted to serving the Lord and the Church.”

Farrell went on to express deep appreciation for the Pope’s exemplary life, emphasizing his commitment to living the values of the Gospel with unwavering faith, courage, and universal love, especially for the most vulnerable and marginalized individuals.

Pope Francis had previously been gravely ill, battling pneumonia and spending 38 days in the hospital before his release on March 23rd of this year.

As tradition dictates, the Vatican will now enter the period of “sede vacante,” the vacant papal seat. This ritual involves sacred vows, Latin chants, and the signaling of the papal election results through white or black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney as cardinals gather to select a new pope.

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