Showing posts with label the pope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the pope. Show all posts

Monday, April 21, 2025

the pope

 

Pope Francis died of stroke and heart failure, Vatican says



Vatican service ended at 19:39

A couple hugging in a square. It's dark now and people mill about around themImage source,Reuters

While we were bringing you that breaking news, the rosary service held in St Peter's Square ended.

After prayers and songs, parts of the crowd began to disperse, but others remained in the area as the sun started to set.

Pope Francis's final testament in full was published at 19:30

We can now bring you the full final testament from Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday aged 88.

"As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial.

"Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest, awaiting the day of the Resurrection, in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

"I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.

"I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, as shown in the attached plan.

"The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.

"The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica.

"May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me. The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples."

In pictures: Vatican leads prayers for Pope Francis published at 18:58

A cardinal in his religious outfit speaking with his hands clasped togetherImage source,Getty Images
A walkway separated with barriers. On the barrier sits a young girl, held by her mumImage source,Reuters
Taken from above, rows and rows of people seated in a squareImage source,Reuters

A nun attends a rosary for Pope FrancisImage source,Reuters


Crowds recite prayers at Vaticanpublished at 18:42

Nuns pray as they stand at a barrier with a crowd behind themImage source, Getty Images

Hundreds of people can be seen praying in unison in St Peter's Square in the Vatican - some are crying.

Several people take it in turns to speak from a lectern to recite prayers.

Members of the clergy and faithful attend a rosaryImage source,Reuters



Prayers begin in St Peter's Squarepublished at 18:35

Nuns wait for the start of a rosary for Pope FrancisImage source,Reuters

Crowds of mourners are gathered in St Peter's Square for a rosary prayer for Pope Francis.

Follow along by pressing watch live at the top of this page.

Services held around the world to mark Pope's death published at 18:26

Pope Francis and Cardinal Kevin Farrell smiling at one anotherImage source, Getty Images

Following Pope Francis's death, Cardinal Kevin Farrell became the acting head of the Roman Catholic Church, a role he will hold until a new pope is elected.

Cardinal Farrell announced the death of the Pope this morning.

Farrell is currently the "camerlengo" - the person who runs the Vatican from one pope's death or resignation to another's election.

He will also preside over the "rite of the confirmation of death" and place the Pope's body in a coffin.

Dublin-born Farrell attended the University of Salamanca in Spain and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

He was appointed Bishop of Dallas in 2007 before Pope Francis called on him to serve as the leader of the Vatican's new department responsible for the pastoral care of families and raised him to the rank of cardinal.

In 2019, Pope Francis nominated him Camerlengo of the Roman Catholic Church.