Moscow, Apr 22 (UNI) Palestinian movement Hamas expressed deep condolences over the death of Pope Francis.
"The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) extends its deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the global Catholic Church and to all Christians on the passing of Pope Francis, the Pope of the Vatican, who passed away after a life devoted to upholding human and religious values," Hamas said in a statement on Monday.
The movement noted that Pope Francis played a prominent role in promoting the values ​​of interfaith dialogue and called for mutual understanding and peace between peoples, rejecting hatred and racism.
"He consistently opposed aggression and warfare, and was a prominent religious voice in denouncing war crimes and acts of genocide, including those committed against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip," the statement added.
On Monday, the Holy See announced that Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life, said that Pope Francis died at 5:35 GMT. The death was caused by a stroke and irreversible heart failure, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State Andrea Arcangeli said.
On March 23, Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital after five weeks of treatment for pneumonia. He was prescribed long-term therapy and two months of rest.
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