The head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, died this morning, April 21st, in his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. The Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, Cardinal Kevin Farrell issued the following statement : “Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I announce the death of the holy father, Pope Francis. At 7.35 this morning, The Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the House of the Father”.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, from Argentina, Pope Francis was the first Latin American to lead the church. He was elected in 2013 as the 265th successor to the throne of Peter.
The Pope will be remembered for his humility, love, his smiles, care and concern for the most vulnerable. Often described as “a man of faith” he will also be remembered for stabilizing the church following the upheavals that followed the resignation of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. He not only apologized for sexual abuse within the church but introduced measures to ensure that such sex predators are no longer protected within the hierarchy.
Widely traveled and hugely respected, Pope Francis was the first Pope to address the US Congress. He paid attention to many issues besething the world, particularly issues of poverty, wars, sex abuse scandals and LGBT matters. It is noteworthy that the Pope made his last appearance at St Peter’s Square the previous day, Easter Sunday. Although he looked frail and did not give the Easter message, he happily acknowledged greetings and gave out blessings to the faithfuls. He called for an end to the war in Gaza, Israel, Ukraine and Sudan. It is significant that the Pope died at such a holy season, and his last assignment was a hugely symbolic one – meeting the people and saying goodbye to the people. The people he loved so much. .
Tributes and messages of support and condolences are pouring in from all over the world – Italy, France, Iran, Britain, Russia, Israel, Argentina, orthodoxies and persons, etc etc. Many countries have also declared days of national mourning for the death of the Pope.
From now till the next conclave, a state of “Sede Vacante” will exist within the Vatican, and the church. Sede vacante is Latin word meaning – “The seat is empty”. Since the announcement, in the early hours of Monday morning, people have continued to troop into St Peter’s Square to mourn this great event and to pay their respects.
According to ancient traditions, during the days of the “empty seat” the the Camerlengo will take charge of all administrative matters in the Holy See, (technically making him the acting Pope.) Within the next few days, the Pope will be laid to rest and shortly afterwards, the process will begin for the election of a new Pope as Cardinals from all over the world will gather in Rome for the Conclave – known as the most secret ballot in the world.
