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
- PoliticsProsecutor demands four years for journalist IljašThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRights activists have declared nine political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsKGB declares platform 375 extremist groupThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsDozens added to extremist listThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarus sentences citizens to years in prison over tiny donations, former inmate revealsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Society
- SocietyLithuania to temporarily allow Belarusian cars to enter Belarus through its territory — InfotransThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- Politics, SecurityEU neighbors declined invitations to observe Zapad-2025, says Belarus’ security officialThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsMinsk violates international law by deporting pardoned dissidents – lawyerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsVon der Leyen welcomes release of former EU staffer, other prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- PoliticsTusk: Poczobut’s release remains priority for PolandThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- Politics
- Economy, Politics, Security
- Politics, SecurityRussia urges Warsaw to cancel Belarus border closureThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyFoundation raises €50,000 for prisoners released todayThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityPoland to deploy 40,000 troops to borderThe material is available only to POZIRK+