Pope Francis, Leader of the Catholic Church, Dies at 88

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for more than a decade and became one of its most recognizable global figures, died Monday morning, April 21, at 88.

Francis had been suffering from chronic lung disease and died from complications related to double pneumonia.

He had been hospitalized earlier this year for over a month, but continued to appear in public. He made his final appearance on Easter Sunday, when he delivered a blessing to thousands in St. Peter’s Square. Just before that event, he met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced his death from the chapel at Domus Santa Marta, the Vatican residence where Francis had lived since becoming pope.

“At 7:35 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,″ Farrell said. “He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for 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 God, One and Tribune.″

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis was the first pope from the Americas and the first non-European leader of the Church in over 1,000 years.

The son of Italian immigrants, he became a Jesuit priest and later Archbishop of Buenos Aires before being elected pope in March 2013 following Pope Benedict XVI's resignation.

He was also the first Jesuit to serve as pope.

The College of Cardinals will now prepare to elect a new pope. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in the conclave.

While any baptized Catholic man can technically be elected, the next pope is almost certain to come from within the College, a tradition that has held since the 14th century.