THE VATICAN - The world is in shock and mourning on Easter Monday as it woke to the news that Pope Francis had died.

Having recently recovered from a number of health issues the news was largely unexpected.

"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church," Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced from the Casa Santa Marta Monday.

"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., the cardinal said

"The Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on Friday, February 14, this year, after suffering from a bout of bronchitis for several days," Devin Watkins wrote in an article published Monday for the Vatrican News.

'Pope Francis' clinical situation gradually worsened, and his doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia on Tuesday, February 18.'

'After 38 days in hospital, the late Pope returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery,' Watkins wrote. 

'In 1957, in his early 20s, Jorge Mario Bergoglio underwent surgery in his native Argentina to remove a portion of his lung that had been affected by a severe respiratory infection.'

'As he aged, Pope Francis frequently suffered bouts of respiratory illnesses, even cancelling a planned visit to the United Arab Emirates in November 2023 due to influenza and lung inflammation,' reported the Vatican News.

'In April 2024, the late Pope Francis approved an updated edition of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites, which will guide the funeral Mass which has yet to be announced.'

'The second edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis introduces several new elements, including how the Pope's mortal remains are to be handled after death,' the Watkins article said.

'The ascertainment of death takes place in the chapel, rather than in the room where he died, and his body is immediately placed inside the coffin.'

'According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, the late Pope Francis had requested that the funeral rites be simplified and focused on expressing the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ,' said the Vatican News.

"The renewed rite," said Archbishop Ravelli, "seeks to emphasise even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world."

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who met with the Pope a day before his death, on Easter Sunday, posted on X that his "heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill," he said.

Vance and his family has spent Easter In Rome. He and his family participated in the Passion Liturgy in the Vatican Good Friday evening and on Easter Saturday met with Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher., Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, 

"During the cordial talks satisfaction was expressed for the good existing bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States of America, and the common commitment to protect the right to freedom of religion and conscience was reiterated," a statement by the Holy See Press Office said.

"There was an exchange of opinions on the international situation," it read, "especially regarding countries affected by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, with particular attention to migrants, refugees, and prisoners."