Overview

• Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88, following a battle with pneumonia, as confirmed by the Vatican.
• In his final Easter message, he called for a Gaza ceasefire, the release of hostages, and condemned rising global antisemitism.
• Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas remembered him as a 'faithful friend' who recognized Palestine and supported its people’s rights.
• Hamas, Iran, and Israel’s President Herzog paid tribute, emphasizing his peace efforts and interfaith dialogue during his papacy.
• Gaza’s small Christian community expressed heartbreak, recalling his nightly phone calls to their church during the ongoing conflict.