His Holiness Pope Francis has died aged 88, the Vatican has announced.
According to the Vatican news service, the Pope has passed away at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.
“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church,” His Eminence Cardinal Farrell has stated.
His death comes a day after the Pope appeared in St Peter’s Square to wish “Happy Easter” to thousands of worshippers.
He was the first Pope from the Americas or the southern hemisphere. Not since Syrian-born Gregory III died in 741 had there been a non-European Bishop of Rome.
(Agencies)
