China expresses condolences over Pope Francis’s death

Credit: RIA/NAN

China, on Tuesday, expressed condolences over the death of Pope Francis, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun, “China expresses condolences over the death of Pope Francis.’’

He said that China and Vatican have been maintaining constructive contacts and developing friendly exchanges in recent years.

“China is ready to cooperate with Vatican to promote constant improvement of bilateral relations,’’ he said.

Earlier 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.