Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement of the death of history’s first Latin American pontiff, which was read out by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived.
“At 7.35 this morning, 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,″ he said.
“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalised.
“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.″
Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli hospital on February 14 for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia.
He spent 38 days there, the longest hospital stay of his 12-year papacy.
However, he emerged on Easter Sunday – a day before his death – to bless thousands of people in St Peter’s Square and treat them to a surprise Popemobile tour of the piazza, drawing wild cheers and applause.
A spokesman from the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton expressed the church’s deep sadness and paid tribute to the late pope’s “unwavering” advocacy for the poor and marginalised, his concern for the environment and his “tireless and vocal” work in the pursuit of peace, “dispatching Vatican envoys across the world to deliver aid and spiritual support to people and communities in need, while urging governments and world leaders to bring an end to conflict and violence, particularly in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan”.
The Diocese also celebrated the Pope’s denouncement of human trafficking, which he referred to as a “global scourge”. He set up The Santa Marta Group, which operates internationally to end the criminal trade.
Bishop Richard Moth will offer Mass for the repose of the Pope’s soul in his private chapel today and at Arundel Cathedral tomorrow.
He will also celebrate a daily Mass for the Pope, at various locations, over the next eight days.
The Dean of Arundel Cathedral, Father Stephen Dingley, will also celebrate Mass for the Pope today, with a further eight Masses at Arundel Cathedral or Our Lady of England Catholic Church, Storrington.
The Pope had announced 2025 was to be a Year of Jubilee with the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, with three churches in Arundel and Brighton’s diocese designated as special places of pilgrimage where Holy Year Indulgences, which the diocese said is a grace granted by the church which cleanses the soul and helps people to grow closer to God, could be gained.
Speaking earlier today Bishop Moth said: “As we mourn the death of Pope Francis, we can also be deeply grateful for his life of service to the Universal Church. Bringing his experience of the Church in South America, informed and enlightened by his life as a member of the Society of Jesus, he called us all to simplicity of life, a renewed openness to the gift of mercy, a deeper understanding of the dignity of the human person and a respect and care for creation.
“The work of the Synod, that has marked the more recent years of his papacy, is sure to inform to the life and mission of the Church in the proclamation of the Gospel and his faithful dedication, even as he lived with failing health, is an example to us all. May he rest in peace.”
The Bishop of Chichester, Dr Martin Warner, also paid tribute.
“On behalf of the Diocese of Chichester, I wish to assure our brothers and sisters in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton of our prayers, following the news of the death of Pope Francis.
“In a very particular way, as Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis exercised a primacy of service, love and Christian witness that was open to all Christians. Strong in faith and hope, he engaged with pressing issues that face the human race, and outstandingly with the issues of war and migration, and the environment.
“Within the Church, he has built upon the work of his predecessors in bringing to life the insights of the Second Vatican Council. Returning to the sources of Christian faith, in Scripture and tradition, and inspired by the Holy Spirit, he has striven to bring to all people that light of Christ which shines out visibly from the Church.
“This work of renewal has included addressing the abuse of power, the inclusion of the gifts of all the baptised, and reaching out to those who feel that they are not welcome.
“His refrain has been, “Tutti, tutti, tutti”: all are children of God, loved by God. He will be remembered by many for calling priests and bishops to a pastoral authenticity which is attuned to ‘the smell of the sheep’.
“His humour never left him, nor did compassion and a delight in the family, children and young people.
“May Mary, the Mother of the Church, be the sign of comfort for all who feel the loss of this good shepherd. May her confidence in the promises of God direct us, with thanksgiving for his life, towards the hope of the resurrection.”
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