Pope Francis is dead
Pope Francis was the first pope from Latin America.
Pope Francis has died. Cardinal Farrell, Prefect of the Congregation for the Laity, the Family and Life, said that Pope Francis died at 11 am India time on Monday.
The Holy See Press Office quoted Farrell as saying: “Dear brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I announce the death of our Pope Francis. At 7:35 this morning (11 am India time), the Bishop of Rome Francis returned to the Father’s house. He dedicated his life to God and the Church. He taught us to practice the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and fraternity, especially to help the poorest people. We sincerely thank Pope Francis for the example of a true disciple of Jesus and entrust his soul to the infinite mercy of God.”
Pope Francis, whose real name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was born on December 17, 1936 in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. He was elected Pope of the Catholic Church in 2013.
Pope Francis was the first pope from Latin America. He was known to be a reformist pope who tried to change traditional outlook on subjects like the Church and LGBT community, women’s rights etc.
In June last year Pope Francis met with more than 100 comedians, artists and writers. Following the meeting he issued a statement on humor and religion, saying that people can joke about God and faith, but only if the joke is not insulting.
“Can we also make fun of God? Of course it is not blasphemy, we can, just as we tease those we love and joke with them,” Pope Francis had said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met Pope Francis last year in July on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Apulia in Italy. They had met with a warm embrace.
