Pope Francis Dies Aged 88, Vatican Makes Announcement: "With Deep Sorrow"

• The Vatican has announced the death of Pope Francis who breathed his last at 88 years after battling lung illness
• Bells have tolled in church towers across Rome, Italy, after the announcement of the death of the pontiff
• Pope Francis was hospitalised at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on February 14, 2025, after suffering from bronchitis

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, according to a statement released by the Vatican.

The pontiff died on April 21 at 7.35 am, per the statement.

Pope Francis, who was the Bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church, became pope in 2013 after his predecessor, Benedict XVI, resigned.

His death was announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell in a statement released by the Vatican.

"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."

DW News reported that bells have tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement of the death of Pope Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease.

The pontiff, who had part of one lung removed when he was younger, has been dealing with serious respiratory health issues since February.

The Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on February 14, 2025, after suffering from bronchitis.

The issue developed into double pneumonia, and he spent 38 days in the hospital.

Pope Francis spent Easter Sunday at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican to deliver a blessing and rode through the crowd in the Popemobile.

At the time, a video of Ghanaian Catholics praying for Pope Francis' recovery went viral on social media.

Tributes for Pope Francis from Ghana

President John Mahama paid tribute to Pope Francis, saying he had a legacy of compassion, humility, and commitment to social justice.

"I fondly remember visiting the Vatican with my wife, Lordina, where we had the distinct honour of meeting Pope Francis."

"His leadership and advocacy for the poor and marginalised resonate deeply."

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, said the late Pope was a blessing to humanity

"This is a blow to many faithful, but God knows best. It shall be well with our souls."

Following the death, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference announced to all priests, religious, and lay faithful that a series of solemn activities would be held to honour the memory of the pontiff.

These activities lined up include a National Memorial Mass.

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference called Pope Francis a man of peace and dialogue, who lived and preached the message of mercy and reconciliation with admirable consistency.

"May our mourning be tempered by our Christian hope that Pope Francis now enjoys the beatific vision of the heavenly kingdom."

About Pope Francis

Pope Francis, who was born in 1936, was the first pope from South America. His birth name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

He was known for his social justice leaning and advocacy for the most vulnerable on society, earning him the nickname "People's Pope".

Notably, in 2016, Pope Francis washed the feet of refugees from different religions at an asylum centre outside Rome in a "gesture of humility and service".

He also made his views known on a wide range of issues, from climate change to wealth inequality and the role of women in the Catholic Church.

His acceptance of the LGBTQ community was also described as unprecedented, beginning with an unexpected remark to reporters on a flight back from Brazil about gay clergy.

Catholic Church to reject offerings from illegal miners

YEN.com.gh reported in November 2024 that the Catholic Church decided to take punitive measures against church members engaged in illegal mining.

The measures are meant to serve as a deterrent to those involved in the galamsey menace, polluting rivers and lands.

President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Ghana, Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, said the church would reject offerings from such persons and exclude them from communion.

Before this, the Catholic Church in Accra embarked on a protest prayer walk on October 11, 2024.

Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh