Pope Francis has passed away at the age of 88, following several months of health complications. He was hospitalised at Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 for bronchitis treatment, which later escalated into double pneumonia. The Vatican confirmed the demise of the Argentine Pope on Monday, April 21. The Holy See issued a statement after a spokesperson acknowledged that the respiratory infection had resulted in a ‘complex clinical picture’.
Despite his deteriorating health in his final days as the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis remained engaged, making phone calls to members of a Catholic parish in Gaza. However, his declining health necessitated the cancellation of several commitments, including a scheduled meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina on December 17, 1936, Pope Francis was inspired to dedicate his life to faith following a health crisis in his early years. Although he initially embarked on a career in the food processing industry, working as a certified chemical technician after leaving school, his true vocation became apparent when he was 21.
After suffering from a severe case of pleurisy – an inflammation around the lungs causing sharp chest pain – he underwent surgery to remove part of one of his lungs, reports the Mirror.
Pope Francis has recounted a transformative moment, which paved his spiritual journey towards priesthood, during an impromptu visit to a church while heading to celebrate with friends. He experienced a profound epiphany. “It surprised me, caught me with my guard down.”
After joining the Jesuit novitiate in 1958, he engaged deeply in studying humanities, philosophy, and theology across Chile and Argentina. His dedication led him to be ordained a priest by 1969, later advancing to become both an archbishop and cardinal.
On matters of health, Dr. William Schaffner, chairman of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Centre, conveyed to ABC News that living with a single lung is surprisingly manageable for many. “Many people have gone on to live perfectly normal lives, even to engage in tennis, hiking and jogging with one lung,” Schaffner expressed. “It’s like being able to live with only one kidney.”
Nevertheless, individuals surviving on one lung must remain vigilant as they are at heightened risk of suffering from grave pneumonia and encountering serious complications from such infections due to diminished lung capacity. Doctors advised that after his discharge in March, a two-month convalescence at home was crucial for recovery.
The funeral of Pope Francis is anticipated to be held in St Peter’s Square, with his body resting at St Peter’s Basilica for dignitaries and some of the faithful to bid their final farewells. In a final departure from papal tradition, the often controversial Pope Francis has previously revealed plans to be interred at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, not the Vatican, reflecting his deep devotion to the Virgin Mary.
