France, April 21 -- Pope Francis, the unconventional and outspoken pontiff who inspired widespread devotion but riled traditionalists, died on Monday aged 88. Born Jorge Bergoglio, Francis was the first Jesuit to lead the world's almost 1.4 billion Catholics and the first from the Americas.

The Argentine pontiff, leader of the Catholic Church since March 2013, spent 38 days being treated for double pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli hospital before seeming to recover and leaving the facility on 23 March.

His death came just a day after he delighted the crowds of worshippers at the Vatican on Easter Sunday with an appearance on the balcony at Saint Peter's Basilica.

"Dearest brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the...