Pope Francis: In a climate of emotion the faithful bid farewell to Pontiff (pictures)
Pope Francis, The Pontiff whose resonance reached far beyond the world church, he died at the age of 88.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican Camerlengo, said: « At 7:35 this morning, Bishop of Rome Francis returned to the father’s home. His whole life was dedicated to the Lord’s service and church of ».
The world pays tribute
The news of Pontiff’s death scattered sadness to the faithful, with people paying tribute to Rome.
Journalists in the Vatican. Reuters/Yara Nardi
Faithful to Rome, following the announcement of the Pope’s death. Reuters/Guglielmo Mangiapane
Faithful to St. Peter’s Square. Reuters/Guglielmo Mangiapane
Nuns in the Vatican. Reuters/Yara Nardi
Nuns holds a photo of Pope Francis. Reuters/Guglielmo Mangiapane
A woman carries a cross in Rome on the occasion of the death of Pope Francis. Reuters/Remo Casilli
Pope’s health and last appearances
Pope Francis, who was suffering from chronic pulmonary disease and was removed part of one lung when he was young, was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome on February 14 for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He stayed there for 38 days, the biggest hospitalization during his 12 -year papal term.
Pontiff, who was discharged from the hospital on March 23, made his last public appearance on Sunday, when he spoke for a while to the crowd that had gathered at St. Peter’s Square for Easter.
In recent weeks, he left his home at Casa Santa Marta, visiting prisoners at Rome’s Regina Coeli prison on Thursday and making a surprise visit to St. Peter’s Basilica, wearing a simple attire a week ago, the Guardian.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtiieri said: « Rome, Italy and the world mourn an excellent man, a humble and courageous pastor who knew how to talk to everyone’s heart. »
Favorite by many Catholics for his humility, Franciscus simplified papal funeral ceremonies last year and previously stated that he had already designed his grave at the Basilica Maria Maggiore in the Esquilino district in Rome, where he went to pray.
The succession
In the midst of intense mourning in the coming days and weeks, it is certain that maneuvers will begin in the Vatican for who will succeed Francis and become the 268th leader of the Catholic Church. Cardinals from all over the world will go to Rome for the Conclave, the secret, complex ritual of election held in the Sistina Hat, which includes about 138 cardinals who have the right to vote.
Some of the potential candidates discussed before Francis’ death were Matteo Zupi, a progressive Italian cardinal, Pietro Parolin, who serves as secretary of the Vatican state, and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.
His death is likely to aggravate intense divisions within Kuria, with the Conservatives seeking to distract the church from the reformers.
