Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff who ministered with a charming, humble style, dies at 88
Last edited Mon Apr 21, 2025, 08:03 AM - Edit history (3)
Source: AP
Pope Francis has died. He was history's first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change. He was 88.
Updated 7:18 AM EDT, April 21, 2025
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis, history’s first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change, died Monday. He was 88.
Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement, which was read out by Cardinal Kevin Farrell from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived.
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,” said Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, who takes charge after a pontiff’s death.
Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.
He made his last public appearance on Easter Sunday — a day before his death — to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square, drawing wild cheers and applause. Beforehand, he met briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a
Article updated.
Previous articles/headline -
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope Francis, history's first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change, died Monday. He was 88.
Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement, which was read out by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived. "At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,″ Ferrell said.
Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.
But he emerged on Easter Sunday -- his last public appearance, a day before his death -- to bless thousands of people in St. Peter's Square and treat them to a surprise popemobile romp through the piazza, drawing wild cheers and applause. Beforehand, he met briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope Francis, history's first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change, died Monday. He was 88.
Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement, which was read out by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived. "At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,″ Ferrell said.
Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.
But he emerged on Easter Sunday -- his last public appearance, a day before his death -- to bless thousands of people in St. Peter's Square and treat them to a surprise popemobile romp through the piazza, drawing wild cheers and applause. Beforehand, he met briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope Francis, history's first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change, died Monday. He was 88. Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement, which was read out by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived.
"At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,″ Ferrell said.
Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.
But he emerged on Easter Sunday -- a day before his death -- to bless thousands of people in St. Peter's Square and treat them to a surprise popemobile romp through the piazza, drawing wild cheers and applause.
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope Francis, history's first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change, has died Monday. He was 88. "At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,″ Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, said in an announcement.
Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement. Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.
From his first greeting as pope -- a remarkably normal "Buonasera" ("Good evening" ) -- to his embrace of refugees and the downtrodden, Francis signaled a very different tone for the papacy, stressing humility over hubris for a Catholic Church beset by scandal and accusations of indifference.
After that rainy night on March 13, 2013, the Argentine-born Jorge Mario Bergoglio brought a breath of fresh air into a 2,000-year-old institution that had seen its influence wane during the troubled tenure of Pope Benedict XVI, whose surprise resignation led to Francis' election.
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope Francis, history's first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change, has died Monday. He was 88. "At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,″ Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, said in an announcement.
Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.
From his first greeting as pope -- a remarkably normal "Buonasera" ("Good evening" ) -- to his embrace of refugees and the downtrodden, Francis signaled a very different tone for the papacy, stressing humility over hubris for a Catholic Church beset by scandal and accusations of indifference.
After that rainy night on March 13, 2013, the Argentine-born Jorge Mario Bergoglio brought a breath of fresh air into a 2,000-year-old institution that had seen its influence wane during the troubled tenure of Pope Benedict XVI, whose surprise resignation led to Francis' election.
Updated 4:01 AM EDT, April 21, 2025
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope Francis died Monday morning, Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced.
"At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,″ Farrell said in the announcement.
"He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for 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 God, One and Tribune.″
Original article -
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope Francis died Monday morning, Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced.
"At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,″ Farrell said in the announcement.
= new reply since forum marked as read
A different interpretation occurs when read otherwise. 
I see this happen the most on USA Today articles that often use an "em dash" (long dash) that DU's software can't render. Similarly something happens with certain types of double quote marks (there are some that are actually "directional" - leaning right or leaning left).
I thought the same thing! 
After meeting with Pope Francis just the previous day, here's a picture of JD Vance after the pronouncement of death:
With the Far-Right govt., this is very concerning. Remember when the right-wing crazies (probably many DU members' family members) made up all those allegations about Soros and his "collaboration"? Yet they overlooked documented history:
and of the current compliment of Cardinals (not necessarily appointed by him), at least as of his last set of selections this past December, only 8 are Jesuit. However he has definitely emphasized selecting Cardinals from the many "orders", so will have to see.
I expect there were a range of perspectives for those who he appointed and probably many who would align with his worldview... But like everything else in a church or government or large organization, there is always "politics" involved and jockeying for power (I know the book/miniseries "The Thorn Birds" showed that! 
).
by people outside as well as inside the Catholic Church.
Last edited Mon Apr 21, 2025, 05:22 AM - Edit history (1)
Say hello to Jimmy Carter when you get there.
His last message on immigration was sorely needed and I fear we will not see another like him but more likely a return to the very conservative mode of the Ratzinger (Benedict).
Truly horrible news to wake to.
is doing extended coverage this morning if anyone likes their coverage.
My heart goes out to Catholics, Christians and anyone affected by the loss of a gentle, engaged and caring example. I hope the next Pope believes in Climate Change too.
Pope Francis was such a good man, devoted to those who are less fortunate and had a good heart. That smile warmed everyone's heart. 
…and we were all fortunate to have him as pope. And I say that as an atheist.
May he forever R.I.P.
Rest in Power/Peace Padre Francis
RIP Pope Francis.
