Pope Francis has died (2 photos)

Just yesterday, the pontiff was giving a speech to the faithful on the occasion of Easter.





The Vatican announced the death of Pope Francis (in the world Jorge Mario Bergoglio) - the 266th head of the Roman Catholic Church. The pontiff was 88 years old, the cause of death has not yet been reported, but it is known that he had recently had health problems.

"Today, Bishop Francis of Rome returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to serving the Lord and His Church. He taught us to live the values ​​of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially for the benefit of the poorest and most disadvantaged. With great gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we entrust the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God," the Holy See press service quotes the cardinal as saying.



Photo of yesterday's public appearance

Yesterday, the day before his death, Francis appeared before the faithful for the traditional Easter message - Urbi et orbi ("To the city and the world"). His participation in the event was not guaranteed due to his health, but he was able to address the faithful from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, congratulated them on Easter and handed over the floor to Monsignor Diego Ravelli, who read out the message on his behalf. In particular, words were heard calling for peace in the current hot spots on Earth, the media notes.

In mid-February, Francis was hospitalized with a respiratory infection, his condition was critical due to an asthmatic respiratory crisis and kidney failure. Doctors did everything possible, including blood transfusions, and were able to get him back on his feet. Since the end of February, his condition began to improve. However, in public, he increasingly appeared in a wheelchair.





Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936 in the capital of Argentina. He grew up in a family of a railway worker, originally from Italy. After studying to be a chemical technician, he entered the seminary and continued his studies first in Chile, and then returned to his hometown and entered the College of Saint Joseph in San Miguel. There in 1963 he received a licentiate in philosophy, and 7 years later - a licentiate in theology. From 1960 to 1970, he taught literature, philosophy and theology in Catholic colleges in Buenos Aires. In December 1969, the future bishop of the Roman Catholic Church received the rank of priest. From 1970 to 1980, Jorge Mario Bergoglio held various positions in the Jesuit monastic order, from 1980 to 1986 he was the rector of the theological faculty at the College of Saint Joseph, and also the rector of a parish in the diocese of San Miguel.

In February 2001, Pope John Paul II elevated Bergoglio to the cardinalate. Since then, he has held various administrative posts in the Roman Curia. On March 13, 2013, he was elected the new bishop of the Roman Catholic Church. Francis became the first pontiff from Latin America in the history of the Vatican, as well as the first Jesuit and the first to take the name of Francis of Assisi, the founder of the mendicant order known for its asceticism and desire to communicate with the flock.

Meanwhile, all matches of the national football championship have been cancelled in Italy, all public events have been cancelled in Rome, a week of mourning has been declared in Argentina, where Francis is from, and three days of mourning have been declared in Spain. The lights on the Eiffel Tower in Paris will be turned off this evening in memory of the Pope.

The bells of St. Peter's Square in the Vatican have been ringing since the death of Pope Francis. Also in memory of the pontiff, the bell in the Parisian Notre Dame Cathedral has rung 88 times - the number of years the pontiff has been in office.