Pope Francis dies aged 88

April 21, Pozirk. Pope Francis has passed away on Easter Monday in the Vatican, vaticannews.va announced.
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” said Cardinal Kevin Farrell. “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of 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.”
Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, was elected pope in March 2013.
His health deteriorated in the recent few years. In mid-February, he was hospitalized with severe bronchitis and pneumonia.
The pontiff called for release of prisoners of war and political prisoners in the Urbi et Orbi Easter message yesterday.

Reprisals: jailed Catholic priest dismisses spy charge
- PoliticsParty of European Socialists voices solidarity with partners in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsHomiel lawyers face KGB crackdownThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyCentral bank: confidence in rubel growingThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsPro-Łukašenka party gets deep discounts on property rentalsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyRussia sends three batches of dairy products back to BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityZapad-2025 scaled down due to Russia's limited capacity – ISWThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityRussia refuses to exchange Belarusian POWs – ZelenskyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyMinistry eyes business deregulationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsLocal newspaper site inaccessibleThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsAmbrazievič assumes ambassador duties in VaticanThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsActivist Bahinskaja released without punishmentThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOpposition calls for preemptive sanctions on MinskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyNumber of children in Belarus down 25 percent since 2000The material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsInterior ministry brands Catholic priest, 27 others as extremistsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- Economy
- Politics
- Politics, SecurityTop security officers hold briefing for regional officialsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- Politics, SocietyBySol may scale down aid to reprisal victims amid funding uncertaintyThe material is available only to POZIRK+