New Delhi, April 21 -- Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff in history, who won hearts worldwide with his humility, deep compassion for the poor, and strong advocacy for climate action, passed away on Monday at the age of 88.

His death, at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, has sparked an outpouring of condolences from political leaders, Church authorities, and prominent figures across the globe.

The 88-year-old head of the Roman Catholic Church was recently discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he spent five weeks receiving treatment for an infection that led to double pneumonia.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969. Following the resignat...