New Delhi, April 21 -- Pope Francis, history's first Latin American pontiff, died after a severe respiratory crisis on Monday. He was 88.

"At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church," Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, said in an announcement.

Francis suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man. He was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on 14 February 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia.

He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalisation of his 12-year papacy.

He had part of his colon removed in 2021, then needed more surgery in 2023 to rep...