ALBAWABA- The Vatican just announced that Pope Francis has died at the age of 88 after battling a serious case of pneumonia, according to Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell took to Telegram with a statement that read, "This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) 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."
The statement adds, "He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, 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 God, One and Tribune."
Pope Francis dies at 88, Vatican says
Pope Francis' passing comes 24 hours after he allegedly skipped an official meeting in Rome with US Vice President JD Vance due to escalating tensions with the Vatican. Instead, he sent the Vatican's Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, on his behalf to give him a lecture on compassion.
It's worth noting that tensions escalated when Vance accused the church of using a topic such as condemning mass deportation for financial gain.
On the contrary, several pointed out that the pope didn't meet with Vance for not condemning the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza that resulted in the killing of at least 51,000 Palestinians and injuring more than 116,000.
Pope Francis recently said, "I continue to receive very serious and painful news from Gaza. Unarmed civilians are subjected to bombings and shootings. It is terrorism."
