Pope Francis Dies At 88; 'Christ Is Risen' Was His Final Social Media Post As Vatican Mourns Pontiff's Passing

Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed on Easter Monday (21 April). He passed away peacefully at 7:35 AM at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, reported ANI.

At 9:45 AM, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, officially announced the death:

"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis... 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 news comes just a day after the Pope appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to deliver his Easter "Urbi et Orbi" blessing. Despite recent health struggles, including a five-week hospitalisation for double pneumonia, the Pope managed to offer a moving message of hope and peace.

“Christ is risen! These words capture the entire meaning of our existence, for we were not made for death but for life,” read a post from his official X account on Sunday.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was elected Pope on 13 March 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He was the first Jesuit Pope and the first from outside Europe in over 1,200 years.

The Church will now observe nine days of official mourning before the College of Cardinals convenes in conclave to elect the new Bishop of Rome.

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