Pope Francis faced numerous health problems in recent years
\n VATICAN CITY
\nPope Francis died on Monday aged 88, a day after making a much hoped-for appearance at Saint Peter\u2019s Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said in a statement. \u201cDearest brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,\u201d said Cardinal Kevin Farrell in the statement published by the Vatican on its Telegram channel.
\n\u201cThis morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.\u201dHis entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His church.\u201d
\nFrancis\u2019s death came just a day after he delighted the crowds of worshippers at the Vatican on Easter Sunday with an appearance on the balcony at Saint Peter\u2019s Basilica despite still convalescing after a severe illness.
\nFrancis had come close to dying twice earlier this year while suffering from pneumonia. He spent 38 days in hospital before he was released on March 23.
\nOn Sunday he wished the crowds on Saint Peter\u2019s Square a \u201cHappy Easter\u201d as he waved and in his traditional \u201cUrbi et Orbi\u201d (\u201cTo the City and the World\u201d) benediction he called for freedom of thought and tolerance.
\nPresident Zardari condoles passing of Pope Francis
\nPresident Asif Ali Zardari on Monday expressed deep sorrow over the death of Pope Francis and paid tribute to him for his commitment to interfaith harmony, compassion, and peaceful coexistence.
\nThe president extended his condolences on behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan to the Vatican and the entire Catholic community on his sad demise. While paying tribute to his services, the president said that Pope Francis would be remembered for his efforts in promoting peace, social justice, inter-faith dialogue, and the well-being of the most vulnerable communities worldwide.
\nZardari remarked that Pope Francis was a powerful voice for peace and justice, and his efforts to bring together communities of different faiths and promote mutual understanding would always be remembered.
\nThe president termed the Pope\u2019s passing a great loss not only for the Christians but for all those who valued peace and dialogue among religions. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pope Francis faced numerous health problems in recent years VATICAN CITY Pope Francis died on Monday aged 88, a day after making a much hoped-for appearance at Saint Peter\u2019s Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said in a statement. \u201cDearest brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":473857,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-473835","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n