Vatican City.— The world learned today the sad news that at 07:35 local time Pope Francis, who dedicated his entire life to the defense of the noblest causes, in the service of humanity, passed away.
At 9:47 local time on Monday, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, announced with deep sorrow the death of the Supreme Pontiff, according to a statement released by the Vatican press office.
The Holy Father "taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized," the statement said.
Francis, the first Latin American pope in history, was characterized by his kindness, courage and firm convictions, always on the side of the most humble, an implacable critic of imperialist policies, wars, racial discrimination, inequality and policies against immigrants.
Tireless fighter for the defense of the planet and promoter of actions to confront climate change, deforestation, the dangers of Artificial Intelligence, and many other noble works.
Among the many causes he defended, he denounced on multiple occasions the U.S. policy against Cuba and was always at the side of its people, as was reaffirmed in his meeting in the Vatican with the president of that Caribbean nation, Miguel Díaz-Canel, on June 20, 2023.
On January 14 of that year, the Bishop of Rome sent a message to the people of Cuba, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the visit of John Paul II to the Island, where he thanked him "for that example of collaboration and mutual help that unites them".
On July 12, 2023 he expressed that "Cuba is a symbol, Cuba has a great history", and added that "I love the Cuban people very much".
The death of Pope Francis represents a hard blow for humanity and leaves a void in complex moments for the world, although he also bequeaths us his work and his inspiring, everlasting example.
CUBA MOURNS DEATH OF POPE FRANCISCO
Cuba's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez, today lamented the death of Pope Francis, the first pontiff in history to come from Latin America.
"I express heartfelt condolences to the international Catholic community at this moment of sorrow for the passing of Pope Francis," Rodriguez said on the social network X.
As he commented on the platform itself, the Caribbean nation will remember "with affection his visits to Cuba and the closeness he always transmitted to Cubans".
A notification from the Vatican assured that this Monday "the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father" and highlighted his lifelong dedication "to the service of the Lord and his Church".
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Francis, was elected head of the Catholic Church in March 2013, after the resignation of Benedict XVI.
He suffered from respiratory problems and was hospitalized for more than a month, until he was medically discharged last March 23.
He died at the age of 88, shortly after his appearance in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on the occasion of Easter Sunday.
From September 19 to 22, 2015, Pope Francis made an apostolic trip to Cuba, during which he dialogued with the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro.
On February 12, 2016, he also returned to Cuban soil on a stopover during his trip to Mexico, and held a meeting with the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Kirill, the first meeting of the leaders of both churches after the schism of Christianity in 1054.
