HH Mourns Pope FRANCIS

By Joy Nyambe/BBC

Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.

The Vatican’s announcement of his death came just a day after he appeared in a wheelchair at St Peter’s Square to wish thousands of worshipers gathered there a “Happy Easter”.

Pope Francis was discharged from hospital last month after five weeks of treatment for an infection that led to double pneumonia.

Catholics around the world have been mourning his death and crowds of well-wishers have begun arriving at the Vatican.

Among those who have paid tribute to him was Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who praised him as “great man” and said she had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, advice and teachings.

King Charles, who met with the Pope privately earlier this month during his state visit to Italy, said in a statement that he was “deeply saddened” to hear of the Pope’s death.

“His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others.”

The news of the Pope’s death was announced by the Vatican in a statement.

And President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA says he is deeply saddened by the death of Pope FRANCIS.

President HICHILEMA says Pope FRANCIS was a man of great humility and compassion, who led the Catholic Church by example.

The President says Zambia joins Catholics and fellow Christians across the world in mourning the Pope.

President HICHILEMA says Pope FRANCIS has been promoted to glory in a Jubilee year, on the most important day of the year for the Catholic faithful.

This is according to the President’s Facebook page, monitored by ZNBC News.