Pope Francis' health battles in full from life-changing surgery to devoted final days
Pope Francis, who has passed away at the age of 88, endured a number of health issues in his later years but remained as fiercely opinionated as ever on subjects such as Donald Trump's immigration policies and the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Pope Francis suffered from several health complaints but remained vocal on the issues that defined his papacy, even as his body failed him.
The leader of the Catholic Church, who is remembered for his more tolerant approach to religion, has passed away at the age of 88 after having suffered a long asthmatic respiratory crisis. The Vatican has confirmed the Argentine pontiff, whose 12-year papacy began in March 2013, died two months after his treatment for bronchitis at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.
Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced the sad news that the Pope passed away at around 7.30am on Easter Monday. The 88-year-old was admitted for treatment for bronchitis on February 14, a fter he had difficulties breathing during one of his meetings.
As a result of his hospitalisation, the pontiff's events were subsequently cancelled. Since he was taken to the hospital, the Vatican released regular updates on his condition.
The Holy See's announcement comes after a spokesperson shared that the pope's respiratory tract infection had sparked a 'complex clinical picture', meaning that further hospital treatment would be required. Before his death, it was revealed that blood tests showed that Pope Francis was also in the early stages of "initial, mild, kidney failure," but he remained alert and in good spirits.
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Just yesterday, the Pope wished thousands of worshippers a "Happy Easter" as he appeared in a wheelchair at the Vatican's St Peter's Square. Addressing the cheering crowd, he said: "Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter."
His traditional Easter address was delivered by a clergy member. Interestingly, it was during a health crisis that Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was inspired to dedicate his life to his faith.
After leaving school, the Buenos Aires-born pontiff qualified as a chemical technician and began working in the food processing industry. However, his true vocation came calling at the age of 21 after a serious bout of pleurisy - inflammation around the lungs, which causes sharp chest pain - left him requiring surgery to have part of one of his lungs removed.
Pope Francis later recalled that his calling first became apparent after he stopped off at church on his way to join friends for a holiday celebration. He recalled: 'It surprised me, caught me with my guard down. After entering the Jesuit novitiate in 1958, Pope Francis studied humanities, philosophy and theology in Chile and Argentina. He was then ordained as a priest in 1969, rising to become archbishop and then cardinal.
In his final years, Pope Francis dealt with a series of growing health issues, which meant he was forced to cancel or postpone engagements. Colon surgery followed a bout of sciatica, and he also began using a wheelchair on account of his knee problems.
Even as his health worsened, however, Pope Francis continued to speak out on issues that were his passion, condemning US President Donald Trump 's plans for the mass deportation of migrants, with the warning that it would 'end badly'.
Francis had been scheduled to deliver Mass on Sunday, February 23, in St. Peter's Basilica, where deacons were ordained as part of the Vatican's yearlong Holy Year commemoration. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the organiser of the Holy Year, held the Mass in his place, offering a special prayer for Francis from the altar before delivering the homily prepared by the Pope.
A pre-written message prepared for Francis to read before the congregation said he was "confidently continuing my hospitalisation at the Gemelli Hospital, carrying on with the necessary treatment; and rest is also part of the therapy!"
Asking believers for their prayers, Pope Francis also noted the upcoming anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which he described as "a painful and shameful occasion for the whole of humanity." He continued: "While I renew my closeness to the tormented Ukrainian people, I invite you to remember the victims of all armed conflicts and to pray for the gift of peace in Palestine, in Israel and throughout the Middle East, in Myanmar, in Kivu and in Sudan."
On February 23, as well wishes flooded in from all over the world, a message was posted from the Pope's social media accounts, which read: "I have recently received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children. Thank you for your closeness and for the consoling prayers I have received from all over the world!"
Tragically, for the first time since becoming pope in 2013, Pope Francis had missed the majority of events this week, including Saturday's Easter vigil at St Peter's Basilica. He had delegated his duties but during a brief appearance, he gave sweets to children.
When he was released from the hospital in March, doctors had said he would need rest at home for at least two months. It's expected that the funeral of Pope Francis will take place in St Peter's Square.
His body will lie at St Peter's Basilica, allowing dignitaries and some of the faithful to pay their final respects. In what will be one final signature break with papal tradition for the often divisive pope, Pope Francis previously disclosed plans to be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, not the Vatican - a signifier of his devotion to the Virgin Mary.
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Altogether, employees from all 27 NIH institutes and centers registered their dismay with the agency's direction. ▶ Read more about dissent at the National Institutes of Health Trump says Elon Musk could face 'serious consequences' if he backs Democratic candidates Trump is not backing off his battle with Elon Musk, saying Saturday that he has no desire to repair their relationship and warning that his former ally and campaign benefactor could face 'serious consequences' if he tries to help Democrats in upcoming elections. Trump told NBC's Kristen Welker in a phone interview that he has no plans to make up with Musk. Asked specifically if he thought his relationship with the mega-billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX is over, Trump responded, 'I would assume so, yeah.' 'I'm too busy doing other things,' Trump said. The president also issued a warning amid chatter that Musk could back Democratic lawmakers and candidates in the 2026 midterm elections. 'If he does, he'll have to pay the consequences for that,' Trump told NBC, though he declined to share what those consequences would be. Musk's businesses have many lucrative federal contracts. ▶ Read more about Trump's comments Mike Johnson downplays Musk's influence and says Republicans will pass Trump's tax and budget bill Johnson took clear sides Sunday in Trump's breakup with mega-billionaire Elon Musk, saying Musk's criticism of the GOP's massive tax and budget policy bill will not derail the measure, and he downplayed Musk's influence over the GOP-controlled Congress. 'I didn't go out to craft a piece of legislation to please the richest man in the world,' Johnson said on ABC's 'This Week.' Johnson said he has exchanged text messages with Musk since he came out against the GOP bill. Musk called it an 'abomination' that would add to U.S. debts and threaten economic stability. He urged voters to flood Capitol Hill with calls to vote against the measure, which is pending in the Senate after clearing the House. His criticism sparked an angry social media back-and-forth with Trump, who told reporters over the weekend that he has no desire to repair his relationship with Musk. The speaker was dismissive of Musk's threats to finance opponents — even Democrats — of Republican members who back Trump's bill. ▶ Read more about Johnson's comments Trump's new travel ban takes effect as tensions escalate over immigration enforcement Trump's new ban on travel to the U.S. by citizens from 12 mainly African and Middle Eastern countries took effect Monday amid rising tension over the president's escalating campaign of immigration enforcement. The new proclamation, which Trump signed last week, applies to citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. It also imposes heightened restrictions on people from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela who are outside the U.S. and don't hold a valid visa. The new ban does not revoke visas previously issued to people from countries on the list, according to guidance issued Friday to all U.S. diplomatic missions. However, unless an applicant meets narrow criteria for an exemption to the ban, his or her application will be rejected starting Monday. Travelers with previously issued visas should still be able to enter the U.S. even after the ban takes effect.
Evening Standard
15 hours ago
- Evening Standard
Nato chief Mark Rutte warns UK must spend more on defence or ‘learn to speak Russian'
"I mean, what I know is that if we want to keep our societies safe... look, if you do not do this, if you would not go to the 5%, including the 3.5% core defence spending, you could still have the National Health Service, or in other countries their health systems, the pension system, etcetera, but you had better learn to speak Russian."
