Pope Francis (88) passed away at his residence, Casa Santa Marta, in the Vatican on Monday morning. The Home Ministry stated: "Three-Day State Mourning as a mark of respect on the passing away of His Holiness Pope Francis, Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See."
US Vice President JD Vance, who was the last foreign leader to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican on Sunday, expressed his condolences on the Pope's passing, saying "my heart goes out..."
Leaders across the political spectrum have expressed deep sorrow and extended condolences over the passing of Pope Francis, who died on Monday at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta after prolonged illness.
US Vice President JD Vance attended a Good Friday service at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy, as part of his Easter weekend visit, and is scheduled to meet with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, on Saturday
The 88-year-old pontiff greeted people at the Vatican and appeared to be in good spirits. He was seated in a wheelchair and appeared to be wearing what appeared to be a nasal cannula to aid his breathing.
Pope Francis has seen a 'slight improvement' in his health with no new episodes of asthma-like respiratory illness and improved test results, the Vatican News reported.
In a statement on Monday, the Vatican mentioned that "The clinical conditions of the Holy Father, in their critical nature, show a slight improvement", as per Al Jazeera.
The Vatican added that the Pope, who has been hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli Hospital since February 14, has not experienced any further respiratory crises since Saturday evening, as per CNN.
A distinguished Indian delegation, including Union Minister George Kurian, met Pope Francis at Vatican City, presenting two key works on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership: Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery and Mann Ki Baat @100: Igniting Collective Goodness. The delegation celebrated the
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday expressed his delight that the Indian delegation, led by Minister George Kurian, was able to visit the Vatican.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is sending an high-level Indian delegation to witness the ordination of Monsignor George Jacob Koovakad as a cardinal by the Pope at a function to be held in the Vatican City on Saturday (December 7), said former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar.