By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi
Pope Francis, the revered spiritual head of the Catholic Church and shepherd to 1.4 billion faithful worldwide, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed on Monday.
Pope Francis departed the world in the early hours of Easter Monday celebrations, a day set aside by Christians worldwide to mark the appearance of Jesus Christ to his disciples in Galilee.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the solemn news with a poignant statement: “At 7:35 this morning (0535 GMT), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”
The Pope had been battling pneumonia in both lungs and had recently spent over a month in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, his fourth extended hospitalisation in as many years.
His health had steadily declined since 2021, when he first underwent intestinal surgery.
He was admitted again in 2023 for a severe case of pneumonia, followed later that year by another open abdominal procedure.
Despite his mounting health challenges, Francis remained committed to his role as the spiritual heart of the Church.
He was frequently seen in a wheelchair due to a debilitating knee condition and had been forced to cancel several traditional prayers, papal audiences, and services in recent months.
Yet his enduring sense of duty and compassion remained unshaken.
Just one day before his death, in what became his final public appearance, the Pope greeted thousands of worshippers from the balcony overlooking St Peter’s Square, offering them a moving Easter blessing.
Even in his final year, Francis displayed remarkable resilience.
He undertook an ambitious 12-day journey to Asia and the Pacific in September, followed by a diplomatic visit to Luxembourg and Belgium later that month, testament to his unwavering dedication to global outreach and dialogue.
Pope Francis leaves behind a profound legacy marked by humility, reform, and a deep commitment to social justice.
His passing marks the end of an era for the Roman Catholic Church and the beginning of a period of mourning and reflection across the globe.
