[Anchor]
The world is mourning as Pope Francis, who was recovering from pneumonia, has passed away at the age of 88.
The Vatican announced that the cause of death was a stroke and resulting heart failure, and also released the pope’s pre-written will.
Reporting from Vatican City is correspondent Jo Soo-hyun.
[Reporter]
A large crowd has gathered in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
They are mourning the passing of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88.
[Astrid / American Catholic: Like many people around the world, I am saddened. The pope was loved and respected by both Catholics and non-Catholics.]
The Vatican stated that Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time on Monday morning.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell mentioned that the pope dedicated his entire life to serving the Lord and the Church, particularly supporting the poor and marginalized.
The Vatican officially announced that Pope Francis’s direct cause of death was a stroke followed by heart failure.
Pope Francis had been hospitalized for over a month due to pneumonia and had overcome several critical moments.
[Giovanni / Resident of Umbria, Italy: I was as shocked as when the Twin Towers collapsed during the 9/11 attacks. I hope a new pope will be elected soon to contribute to world peace.]
The pope’s funeral service was held at Santa Marta House, his residence within the Vatican.
Cardinal Farrell presided over the ceremony for confirming the pope’s passing and placing the body in a coffin, based on the funeral rites document.
With the pope’s passing, a nine-day mourning period will be observed.
The Vatican announced that the remains could be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica as early as the 23rd for public viewing.
It was also revealed that the pope wished to be buried beneath the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, outside the Vatican.
He requested that no special decorations be added to his tomb but asked for his papal name to be engraved in Latin.
In accordance with Pope Francis’s simple lifestyle, the funeral service is expected to be as modest as possible.
Reporting from in front of St. Peter’s Basilica, this is Jo Soo-hyun for YTN.
Filming: Yoo Hyun-woo
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