ORLANDO, Fla. – The Diocese of Orlando on Monday held a news conference following morning mass to discuss the death of Pope Francis.
Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, died Monday at the age of 88.
The news conference was held at St. James Cathedral on Orange Avenue.
St. James is a parish church and the seat of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, John Noonan, but it’s not known who will speak at the news conference.
Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement, which was read out by Cardinal Kevin Farrell from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived.
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,” said Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, who takes charge after a pontiff’s death.
Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.
He made his last public appearance on Easter Sunday to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square, drawing wild cheers and applause. Beforehand, he met briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
