Pope Francis passed away after a prolonged illness.  A rosary for the Pope will be held at 7:30 PM in St. Peter’s Square. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti will lead the prayer. The Vatican press office reported.

“Dear brothers and sisters, it is with deep sadness that I must announce the passing of our Holy Father Francis. This morning at 07:35, Pope Francis returned to the House of God. He dedicated his entire life to serving the Lord and the Church. He taught us to live the values ​​of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised,” said Cardinal Joseph Farrell, the chamberlain.

The Pope’s smiling face on giant screens in St. Peter’s Square

The smiling face of Pope Francis appeared in these minutes on the giant screens in St. Peter’s Square, together with the announcement, bordered in black, of this evening’s Rosary in the same square at 7:30 pm. It is a Rosary in suffrage of the Pontiff who died this morning.

Tomorrow, there will be the first Congregation of Cardinals

Tomorrow, the cardinals in Rome will gather in the first Congregation. This was announced by the Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, explaining that from Wednesday, the pontiff’s body could be transferred to St. Peter’s for the faithful to pay homage to. The modalities will be established by the cardinals gathered in the Congregation.

Francis suffered from chronic lung disease.

Francis, who had part of one lung removed at age 21, had long battled health problems, especially bouts of acute bronchitis in winter and had used a wheelchair, walker or cane when moving around his apartment. The Pope was especially prone to lung infections due to developing pleurisy – an inflammation of the thin outer covering of the lung – as an adult.

Francis was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on February 14 for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalisation of his 12-year papacy.

Pope Francis marked Easter Sunday by blessing thousands of people gathered for mass in St Peter’s Square and then embarking on a surprise popemobile tour around the piazza, waving and smiling at the crowd as he passed by.

The 88-year-old pontiff did not celebrate mass in the square, delegating the service instead to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired archpriest of St Peter’s Basilica, who is responsible for the care and maintenance of the Basilica and its liturgical activities.

Francis was diagnosed with bronchitis in early February, but he continued to hold daily audiences in his Vatican hotel suite and even presided at an outdoor Mass on Sunday, February 9. However, he handed over his speeches for an aide to read aloud, saying he was having trouble breathing.