Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Pope Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America and a powerful global voice for the poor and marginalized, died Monday morning at 7:35 a.m. local time in Rome at the age of 88.
The announcement was made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Vatican, who oversees administrative matters during the papal interregnum.
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to serving God and His Church,” Cardinal Farrell said in a solemn statement from Vatican City, as reported by CNBC Indonesia.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis became the first Jesuit pope and the first pope from the Americas when he was elected on March 13, 2013. He succeeded Pope Benedict XVI, who made the historic decision to resign, a rare event in the modern Catholic Church.
Cardinal Farrell praised Francis’ spiritual and humanitarian legacy, saying, “He taught us to live the Gospel values with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially toward the poorest and most marginalized.”
Throughout his 12-year papacy, Pope Francis was widely regarded for his emphasis on mercy, humility, and interfaith dialogue. His outreach often extended beyond the Catholic Church, as he visited conflict zones, refugee camps, and majority non-Christian countries, delivering messages of peace and solidarity across religious and political divides.
“With deep gratitude for his example as a true disciple of Jesus Christ, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite mercy and love of the Triune God,” Cardinal Farrell added.
Just a day before his passing, Pope Francis made a final public appeal for peace during Easter celebrations at St. Peter’s Basilica. Though he was unable to preside over the full Easter Mass due to ongoing health issues, he appeared on the central balcony to deliver the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” (To the City and the World) blessing.
In his message, he called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, continuing his longstanding advocacy for peace in the Middle East.
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News of the pope’s death was met with somber reflection across the Vatican. The bells of St. Peter’s Basilica tolled in mourning, and crowds gathered silently in St. Peter’s Square, many bowing their heads in prayer. The Vatican flag was lowered to half-staff, signaling the beginning of the official mourning period. while Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.
(Raidi/Agung)
