Pope Francis is dead . The announcement was made today, Monday 21 April, by the Vatican . The Pontiff was in Rome, at Casa Santa Marta , where he had been transferred after being admitted to Gemelli Hospital. According to information from the Holy See, death was due to a cerebral hemorrhage: the Pope got up at six, then around 7 he felt ill and, at 7:30, he died .
Yesterday, participation in the mass in St. Peter's and the meeting with US Vice President JD Vance.
L’appello alla pace nell’ultimo messaggio da San Pietro
Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell sadly announced the death of Pope Francis, with these words: "Dear brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, 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 the One and Triune God."
Deep mourning throughout the world, with hundreds of messages remembering Bergoglio and his 12-year pontificate.
Deep sorrow and emotion also in Sardinia , where Francis had arrived for a visit that started from Cagliari just a few months after his nomination . Governor Alessandra Todde recalled the Pope's bond with the Madonna di Bonaria , his closeness to the most vulnerable and his determination to pursue peace. Flags at half-mast as a sign of mourning also outside the Regional Council building.
Meanwhile , many faithful, between disbelief and pain, are crowding in Rome in front of the colonnade of St. Peter's and along the surrounding streets that lead to the basilica, trying to enter.
At noon the bells rang out in mourning.
The body of the Pontiff will be taken to the chapel of Santa Marta . The transfer of the body to the Vatican Basilica for the homage of all the faithful could instead take place on Wednesday 23 April morning . « The Jubilee remains open »: the clarification of the director of the Vatican press office.
THE DAY, NEWS BY NEWS:
- Trump at the Pope's funeral: "I'll be there"
"Melania and I will go to Pope Francis' funeral in Rome." Donald Trump announced on his social Truth
- Francesco, the tomb paid for by an anonymous benefactor
The Pope's tomb will have been paid for by a benefactor. Francis himself indicates this in his will, dated June 2022 and released today. "The expenses for the preparation of my burial will be covered by the sum of the benefactor that I have arranged, to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and of which I have provided appropriate instructions to Msgr. Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Chapter", we read in the will.
- The will: “Bury me in Santa Maria Maggiore. On the tombstone only: Franciscus”
“I ask that my mortal remains rest awaiting the day of resurrection in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore." The Pope wrote this in his will. "I ask that my tomb be prepared in the niche of the side nave between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the aforementioned Papal Basilica." "The tomb must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus."
- The Pope died of a stroke, coma and cardiovascular collapse
The Pope died of a stroke, coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. This is stated in the medical certificate, released at 8:00 p.m. on Monday.
- Conclave, it will take place according to the rules: between 15 and 20 days after the death of the Pope
The conclave, according to the norms of Universi Dominici Gregis, will be held between the fifteenth and twentieth day after the death of the Pope, and therefore, in this case, between May 6 and 10. However, if all the cardinal electors are in Rome, the beginning of the Conclave can also be brought forward.
- Messi's farewell: «A different Pope, close, Argentine»
"A different Pope, close, Argentine. Thank you for making the world a better place. We will miss you." Even the Argentine champion Lionel Messi wanted to pay his respects to Pope Francis, who died today at the age of 83. Bergoglio was a great football fan as well as a supporter of San Lorenzo and obviously of the Albiceleste national team. "QEPD (Spanish abbreviation for 'rest in peace' ed.) Pope Francis," Messi added in a story on Instagram, posting a photo of when he went to the Vatican and donated an olive tree to the pontiff.
- Pope's Funeral, Date to be Decided on Tuesday
The Pope's funeral, according to the norms of Universi Dominici Gregis, should be held between the fourth and sixth day after his death, therefore between Friday 25 April and Sunday 27 April, considering that the rite of the declaration of death will take place only tonight at 8:00 pm. The decision on the date should be taken in the first Congregation of Cardinals. It is therefore probable that the funeral will be held on Saturday 26 April.
- Trump, presence at funeral not ruled out
The date is awaited, the President of the United States is evaluating the possibility of being there. The presence of Javier Milei, President of Argentina, has been confirmed.
- Donald Trump also ordered flags at half-mast in the United States for Pope Francis
The decision applies to all public buildings and grounds, all military posts and naval stations, and all naval vessels of the federal government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its territories and possessions until sunset on the day of burial.
- Influx of faithful in St. Peter's Square
Many faithful and some nuns began to recite the rosary in St. Peter's Square, under one of the giant screens with the image of Pope Francis.
- Commemoration at the Chamber on Wednesday
"Upon proposal of the President of the Chamber, Lorenzo Fontana, the commemoration of Pope Francis will be held in the Chamber on Wednesday 23 April. The time will be communicated later". This was learned from sources in Montecitorio.
- Rosary for the Pope in St. Peter's Square at 7:30 p.m.
A rosary for the Pope will be held at 7:30 p.m. in St. Peter's Square. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti will lead the prayer. The Vatican press office reported.
- The Pope's body will be transferred to the basilica on April 23
The transfer of the Pope's body to the Vatican Basilica for the homage of all the faithful could take place on Wednesday morning, April 23, according to the modalities that will be established and communicated tomorrow, following the first Congregation of Cardinals. This was reported by the director of the press office Matteo Bruni.
- Press room, the Pope died in his apartments
The Pope died this morning in his apartment at Casa Santa Marta. The Vatican press office said this in response to journalists' questions without specifying in what precise environment he died.
- Serie A, recoveries on Wednesday
The four Serie A matches postponed today as a sign of mourning for the death of Pope Francis will be played on Wednesday. The matches to be played are Torino-Udinese, Cagliari-Fiorentina, Genoa-Lazio and Parma-Juve. Kick-off at 18:30. The Coppa Italia semi-final second leg Inter-Milan is already scheduled for Wednesday, and the match will be confirmed.
- The director of the Vatican press office: «The Jubilee remains open»
The Jubilee "remains open." This was stated by the director of the Vatican press office, Matteo Bruni.
- Acutis' canonization suspended due to Pope's death
The canonization of Carlo Acutis, scheduled for Sunday, April 27, is suspended. The Holy See communicated this.
- Many faithful towards St. Peter's, security services strengthened
"Already now, many people are approaching the Vatican. The services were immediately strengthened, the approach is notable." This was stated by the prefect, Lamberto Giannini, at the end of the provincial committee for order and security at the prefecture in Rome, which was attended by the heads of the Capitoline police forces, representatives of the Vatican gendarmerie and the mayor Roberto Gualtieri. "Everyone, according to their own skills, has begun to ensure that this other huge event can take place in safety and with the respect due to the Pontiff," added Giannini.
– The bells of St. Peter's ring in mourning
The bells of St. Peter's Basilica tolled the death knell. The body was then taken to the chapel of Santa Marta.
– Funerals "worthy but equal to those of any other baptized person"
Pope Francis, according to leaks, has asked for a funeral "worthy but equal to that of any other baptized person". A reminder from Bergoglio, therefore, even in his last farewell, to that simplicity that has always distinguished him.
– The Pope's cousin in Asti: «I had heard from him during the week»
"It's hard to talk about, I spoke to him during the week, I have so many beautiful memories." Saying this through tears is Carla Rabezzana, 94, cousin of Pope Francis who lives in Portacomaro, in the province of Asti, the town of origin of the pontiff's ancestors. "I spoke to him these days - she manages to say - and I told him that I broke my foot and he said 'thank goodness you didn't break your head'."
– Giorgia Meloni on Tg1: «A Pope who was there until the end»
"He is returning to the Father's house and we Catholics must see it as a special day, but we will miss him a lot and the fact that he is leaving on Easter Monday is as if he wanted to fulfill his task until the end". Thus the President of the Council Giorgia Meloni on Tg1 remembering Pope Francis. "Even in these last days - she added with emotion - I met him, he was clearly tired but he wanted to be there, he was there until the end".
– FIGC: «All today's matches postponed»
After the Serie A matches, the Serie B and C and amateur matches scheduled for today have also been postponed in agreement with all the federal components. The Italian Football Federation announced this in a press release, adding that football and the FIGC are mourning the passing of Pope Francis, who passed away this morning at the age of 88. "Italian football shares with emotion the grief of hundreds of millions of people for the painful passing of His Holiness Pope Francis - the words of the FIGC president Gabriele Gravina - A great example of Christian charity and dignity in suffering, he always showed himself attentive to the world of sport and football in particular, of which he was passionate.
– Mattarella: «Serious void, Pope was a reference»
"I learned with great personal sorrow the news of the death of Pope Francis, sensing the serious void that is created by the loss of the point of reference that he has always represented for me. The death of Pope Francis arouses pain and emotion among Italians and throughout the world. His teaching has recalled the evangelical message, solidarity among men, the duty of closeness to the weakest, international cooperation, peace in humanity. Gratitude towards him must be translated with the responsibility to work, as he has constantly done, for these objectives". This was stated by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, in a message on the death of Pope Francis.
- Security plan kicks in in Rome for the death of the Pope
The first security measures are already being implemented in Rome for the death of Pope Francis. After a call between the Prefect and the Police Commissioner of Rome, the plan is being implemented with contingents of the Police Forces that have converged in the area of St. Peter's Square. The Prefect of Rome has urgently convened, at 11:30, the Provincial Committee for Public Order and Security
– CEI: «Great suffering for the Italian Church, churches should ring their bells in mourning»
"It is a painful moment and of great suffering for the entire Church. We entrust our beloved Pope Francis to the Lord's embrace, in the certainty, as he himself taught us, that 'everything is revealed in mercy; everything is resolved in the merciful love of the Father'. I ask all the Churches in Italy that the church bells be rung as a sign of mourning and that moments of personal and community prayer be encouraged, in communion among ourselves and with the universal Church". This is what the Cardinal President of the CEI Matteo Zuppi says.
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