World mourns Pope Francis, a humble reformer who favored ‘the poorest’

Cybele Mayes-Osterman

Pope Francis, 88, a humble reformer who sought to make the Catholic Church more inclusive and clashed with world leaders over the rights of immigrants, died Easter Monday following a lengthy bout of double pneumonia, the Vatican said.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who oversees the pope’s affairs, announced his death from Casa Santa Marta where Francis lived at the Vatican. No cause of death was released.

“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Farrel said in a statement on Vatican News. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”

The pope’s death comes one day after a frail but determined Francis greeted thousands in St. Peter’s Square after Easter Mass in his open-air popemobile − and just weeks after an extended hospital stay in which he battled bilateral pneumonia and other health issues.

The pope, who shunned pomp and privilege and loved to be among the people, sat in a raised chair in the vehicle as people cheered “viva il papa.” He stopped at several places along the square, much to the delight of the crowd.

“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church,” Farrell said. “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.”