India, April 21 -- Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff in history, died on Monday at the age of 88. Known for his humble demeanor and deep compassion for the poor, he won admiration around the globe.

Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement, which was read out by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, Pope Francis was the first Latin American, Jesuit, and pope to take the name of St. Francis of Assisi. Elected in 2013 after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, he brought a fresh, humble tone to the papacy.

Francis earned the nickname "the pope of the slums" for his deep commitme...