Pope Francis has passed away, the Vatican announced early Monday morning. He was 88 years old.
The first faithful Latin American leader of Roman Catholicism led the Catholic Church for 12 years and was promoted to the role in March 2013 following the historic resignation of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI.
Francis recently left Gemeri Hospital in Rome and was admitted on February 14th after he had difficulty breathing. He was diagnosed as a serious match of double pneumonia.
He died at the residence of Casa Santa Malta, Vatican.
“It is a deep sadness to have to announce the death of our dear brothers and sisters, our holy father, Francis,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced on the Vatican television channel.
Pope Francis worked to the end, making a surprising appearance at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
The late Pope made his mark in many ways.
Francis was the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere since Pope Gregory III more than a thousand years ago, the first Jesuit pope to be the first since Pope Gregory III, the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere and the first pope of the Americas.
His death triggers the beginning of a rigorous process, beginning with the Pope’s funeral in the coming days and ending with feathers of white smoke emanating from the Sistine Chapel to announce that his successor has been chosen.
More coming…
