Pope Francis, the first Latin American to lead the Roman Catholic Church, has passed away at the age of 88, the Vatican announced on Monday.
The Holy See confirmed that the pontiff died early in the morning at 7:35 a.m. (0535 GMT). “This morning at 7:35 a.m., the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father,” said Cardinal Kevin Farrell in a video message released on the Vatican’s official Telegram channel.
Francis had faced numerous health challenges during his 12-year papacy, which began in 2013 when he succeeded Pope Benedict XVI. His tenure was marked by efforts to modernize the Church and emphasize compassion, inclusion, and care for the marginalized.
