Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, passed away Monday morning at the age of 88.
The Vatican’s camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, announced that the Pope died at 7:35 AM in Vatican City.
“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.
In February, Francis, long criticized by conservatives for steering the Church into left-wing political activism rather than defending tradition and morality, began suffering from a serious respiratory infection, which has now developed into double pneumonia—an aggressive infection that inflames both lungs.
A Vatican statement confirmed that the pope underwent a chest CAT scan, revealing the onset of double pneumonia.
The statement added, “polymicrobial infection, which has arisen in the context of bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis, and has required the use of corticosteroid and antibiotics, makes the therapeutic treatment more complex.”
“A follow-up chest CT scan, to which the Holy Father was subjected this afternoon—prescribed by the Vatican medical team and the medical staff of the “A. Gemelli” Polyclinic Foundation—revealed the onset of bilateral pneumonia, requiring additional pharmacological therapy.”
“Nevertheless,” the press release adds, “Pope Francis remains in good spirits.”
Previous reports indicate that Pope Francis himself is deeply worried about his survival.
RadarOnline.com reveals that the 88-year-old pontiff has reportedly informed his aides that he “won’t survive” and is “preparing for death” while he battles pneumonia in the hospital.
Doctor Alfieri, head of his medical team revealed yesterday (25) that Francis came to be so close to death at certain point that doctors considered ending his pneumonia treatment so he could just die in peace.
“The doctor said it was the pope’s personal nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, who urged the medical team to keep up the treatment in the wake of the vomiting episode.”
After a grueling battle against double pneumonia and a bout of kidney failure, Pope Francis returned to the Vatican in March.
The doctors have warned that it will still take a long time for Francis to fully heal.
The Pope was prescribed another two months of rest at the Vatican, and he is to avoid large or stressful meetings.
In his brief balcony appearance, Francis’ face ‘looked swollen’, but he was not using oxygen and was breathing on his own.
Bandages were visible on both arms underneath his white garments.
This is a developing story.
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