The 88-year-old pontiff breathed his last just a few hours after marking his final public appearance at the Vatican’s St Peter’s Square for Easter Sunday.
Appearing in front of the cheering crowd, the pope blessed the congregation and said, “Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter.” He also shared a meaningful message through his social media, highlighting the importance of life over death.
Pope Francis made a poignant social media post before his death
On his X (formerly Twitter) account, Pope Francis wrote a short yet impactful message, reminding the world of the essence of basic humane emotions.
“Christ is risen! These words capture the entire meaning of our existence, for we were not made for death but for life. #Easter,” wrote the late pontiff.
The pope’s social media message was in line with the basic philosophies he has abided by since the beginning of his papacy.
As reported by Vatican News, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced Pope Francis’ death from Casa Santa Marta at 9.45 am local time on Monday.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” the camerlengo said.
He continued, “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized.”
“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,” concluded Cardinal Farrell.
The pope battled bouts of bronchitis and pneumonia for the last few months and was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on February 14. After 38 days in the hospital, the pontiff returned to his residence at the Casa Santa Marta in late March.
Pope Francis’ Easter message strived for renewal of hope and trust
His Easter address also highlighted his incessant striving for peace and “respect for the views of others,” per the BBC.
The pontiff said, “There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression.”
On behalf of Pope Francis, an aide read his message where the Catholic head remembered the people of Gaza, and criticized the conflict for causing “death and destruction” and creating a “deplorable humanitarian situation”.
Calling the growing global antisemitism “worrisome,” the pope’s message continued, “What a great thirst for death, for killing we see in the many conflicts raging in different parts of the world.”
“I express my closeness to the sufferings… for all the Israeli people and the Palestinian people. Call a ceasefire, release the hostages, and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace,” he stressed.
The pope also encouraged all the parties involved in the Ukraine War to “pursue efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace.”
He said in his “Urbi et Orbi” message for Easter, “On this day, I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life, and ideas! For all of us are children of God!”
The pontiff emphasized, “I would like us to renew our hope that peace is possible!”
