Sky Cartaño

Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, has died from a long asthmatic respiratory crisis at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, April 21. 

Photo Courtesy of Reuters.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell confirmed his death following a statement published by the Vatican on its Telegram channel. 

"Dearest brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. This morning at 7:35am (1:35pm PST) 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 Farrell stated. 

He was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital last March 23 and returned to the Vatican after his first public appearance prior to his death. 

The Pope’s struggle throughout his 12-year papal journey started when he was diagnosed last February 18 due to bilateral pneumonia. 

He made his visit to the Philippines last January 15, 2015, which deeply prevailed on Filipino Catholics as well as Yolanda survivors to strengthen their faith through his advocacy on healing, reflection, and hope. 

In a statement shared with an Explained PH staffer, a devout Filipino Catholic expressed his trust and hope from the recent announcement made by the Vatican. 

“I felt it was too soon. The best response [to his death] was to entrust His Holliness (Pope Francis) to the mercy of God. [I am] simply loving [the] acceptance of the will of God [and have] entrustment of the deceased pontiff to His infinite mercy.” he stated. 

Pope Francis whose birth name was Jorge Mario Bergolio was the first South American to be elected as Pope in March 2013 after Pope Benedict XVI.

He entered the Diocesan Seminary of Villa Devoto in Argentina and was ordained as a priest on December 13,1969 despite being a graduate with a diploma in chemistry.

On February 21, 2001, he was appointed as cardinal by the late Pope John II.