"At 7, April 21 -- Pope Francis, the first Latin American Pope and a transformative figure in the Catholic Church, passed away this morning at the age of 88.

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, announced solemnly.

The Pope had been admitted to Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, after suffering a respiratory crisis that progressed into double pneumonia.

He battled the illness for 38 days - the longest hospitalisation of his 12-year papacy. Despite his fragile health, Francis made a final public appearance at Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, just a day before his ...