Constanza Sánchez
The Vatican has confirmed on Monday morning the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88.
According to Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrel, the Argentine pontiff passed away at 7:35 am in his residence at Casa Santa Marta.
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Following the official announcement of his passing, reactions have poured in, with condolences and tributes to his legacy coming from around the world.
The Holy Father lived in Alcalá de Henares
Alcalá de Henares has also expressed its sorrow at the passing of Pope Francis, who had close ties to the city during his youth.
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The ecclesiastic, who had a close relationship with the Spanish people, had a special connection with Alcalá de Henares.
Pope Francis resided in Alcalá when he was a young Argentine priest, just ordained at the age of 34.
At the current Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola in the Ensanche neighborhood, he completed the Third Probation: the final stage of the Jesuit novitiate.
There, alongside twelve companions, he delved into Ignatian spirituality through study, reflection, prayer, and service to the most vulnerable.
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Young Francis provided assistance at Antezana hospital, caring for the sick and aiding the city’s inmates.
No one could have foreseen that this novice would become the first Jesuit pope, the first South American, and the first non-European since the 8th century.
Additionally, the Pope welcomed representatives from fifteen Spanish World Heritage cities to the Vatican.
«He was concerned about the role of women in leadership positions because he found it odd that out of the fifteen mayors from the Spanish Heritage cities, only three were women,» recalled Mayor Judith Piquet.
