Pope Francis passed away Easter Monday at the age of 88.
He was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia on February 14 and eventually died of a stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure, the Vatican said.
The Vatican earlier said the pope’s lab tests, CT scans and X-rays painted a “complex” picture of his health.
“[The Pope’s] polymicrobial infection, which has arisen in the context of bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis, and has required the use of corticosteroid and antibiotics, makes the therapeutic treatment more complex,” said the Vatican after his diagnosis.
“Nevertheless, Pope Francis remains in good spirits."
Despite his medical condition, the 88-year-old was able to spend his time reading and in prayer. He asked for the public to continue praying for him.
Tory leader Pierre Poilievre on Monday morning opened a press conference in Scarborough, ON, by honouring Pope Francis and offering his condolences.
"There have been countless millions of Catholics, and non-Catholics, that have been inspired by his leadership and faith in other domains," said Poilievre.
"Our prayers are with all Catholics as they lay to rest the head of the Catholic church, and we are in solidarity in remembering him and honouring his contributions."
Premier Danielle Smith issued the following statement on the death of Pope Francis.
“His Holiness Pope Francis devoted himself to guiding nearly 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide with humility and compassion," said the statement.
"Alberta was honoured to welcome the Holy Father in 2022, a visit that brought moments of worship, reflection and an important step toward healing. His meeting with indigenous leaders and his apology for the legacy of residential schools were acts of humility and reconciliation — reminders that faith calls us to forgiveness."
"Today, we join with Catholics across our province and the world in mourning Pope Francis, reflecting on a life dedicated to God and to the service of others."
Pope Francis from July 24 to 29 2022 came to Canada on what he called a “pilgrimage of penitence” to ask indigenous Canadians’ “forgiveness” for the “cultural assimilation” in Indian residential schools and the alleged “mass of unmarked graves.”
To date, no graves have been found despite numerous investigations and ground-penetrating radar. Legacy media have begun backpedaling on reporting this claim as fact.
While in Canada, Pope Francis told indigenous people in Alberta, Nunavut and Quebec that Christians, mainly Catholics, treated indigenous children with “deplorable evil” during the residential school era, from the 1800s to the 1970s.
He also framed Biblical teachings on the Gospel and Jesus from an indigenous lens.
“It is my hope and prayer that, by listening to your elders and drawing from the richness of your traditions and your personal freedom, you will embrace the Gospel preserved and handed down by your ancestors, and thus come to see the Inuk face of Jesus Christ,” Pope Francis said in Nunavut at the time.