Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21 at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, as per reports.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the demise of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta stating, "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church."
"He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God," he added.
He led the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years as its first Latin American pope.
In recent years, his health had declined due to multiple ailments.
After being admitted in hospital for over forty days, Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital on Sunday, March 23 after being treated for double pneumonia.
The Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on February 14, after suffering from a bout of bronchitis for several days.
In his final public message on Easter Sunday, he called for freedom of religion and expression, as well as tolerance and respect for differing views. He also condemned the rise of anti-Semitism and the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
