Pope Francis has died aged 88, the Vatican has said – just one day after he addressed the Catholic world on Easter Sunday.
Francis, born in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, and had suffered various ailments in his 12-year papacy.
And in late February, he suffered a “prolonged respiratory crisis” which required a high flow of oxygen before an “initial, mild” kidney failure.
On Easter Monday, Cardinal Kevin Farrell said on the Vatican’s TV channel: “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 His Church.
“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised.
“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.”
Despite his ill health, the Pope managed to meet world leaders in his final days – including King Charles and Queen Camilla.
On the church’s most holy day yesterday, Francis had appeared at the Vatican in a wheelchair, and waved to crowds from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, saying: “Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter.”
Simpler life
Pope Francis was known for breaking traditions within the church and lived differently to other popes.
Commentators say the 88-year-old refused to live in the Episcopal Palace – the place in Vatican City where the pope usually resides.
Instead, he opted for a “simpler” life and chose to live at Santa Marta House at the back of the Vatican.
He was looked after by members of his household who must be mourning and grieving at the end of the papacy today.
Pope Francis also set out his wishes for a “much more simple” funeral, which will skip a lot of a pageantry traditionally seen.
The pope was seen blessing thousands of faithful yesterday, greeting people and children while travelling in the popemobile.
What happens next?
A papal funeral has traditionally been an elaborate affair, but Pope Francis recently approved plans to make the whole procedure less complex.
Previous pontiffs were buried in three nested coffins made of cypress, lead and oak. Pope Francis has opted for a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc.
He has also scrapped the tradition of placing the Pope’s body on a raised platform – known as a catafalque – in St Peter’s Basilica for public viewing.
Instead, mourners will be invited to pay their respects while his body remains inside the coffin, with the lid removed.
Francis will also be the first Pope in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican.
The new Pope has to be chosen by the Catholic Church’s most senior officials, known as the College of Cardinals.
All men, they are appointed directly by the Pope, and are usually ordained bishops.
There are currently 252 Catholic cardinals, 138 of whom are eligible to vote for the new Pope.
The others are over the age of 80, which means they cannot take part in the election, although they can join in the debate over who should be selected.
MDW Live! News Network 
Pope Francis has died aged 88, the Vatican has said – just one day after he addressed the Catholic world on Easter Sunday.
Francis, born in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, and had suffered various ailments in his 12-year papacy.
And in late February, he suffered a “prolonged respiratory crisis” which required a high flow of oxygen before an “initial, mild” kidney failure.
On Easter Monday, Cardinal Kevin Farrell said on the Vatican’s TV channel: “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 His Church.
“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised.
“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.”
Despite his ill health, the Pope managed to meet world leaders in his final days – including King Charles and Queen Camilla.
On the church’s most holy day yesterday, Francis had appeared at the Vatican in a wheelchair, and waved to crowds from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, saying: “Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter.”
Simpler life
Pope Francis was known for breaking traditions within the church and lived differently to other popes.
Commentators say the 88-year-old refused to live in the Episcopal Palace – the place in Vatican City where the pope usually resides.
Instead, he opted for a “simpler” life and chose to live at Santa Marta House at the back of the Vatican.
He was looked after by members of his household who must be mourning and grieving at the end of the papacy today.
Pope Francis also set out his wishes for a “much more simple” funeral, which will skip a lot of a pageantry traditionally seen.
The pope was seen blessing thousands of faithful yesterday, greeting people and children while travelling in the popemobile.
What happens next?
A papal funeral has traditionally been an elaborate affair, but Pope Francis recently approved plans to make the whole procedure less complex.
Previous pontiffs were buried in three nested coffins made of cypress, lead and oak. Pope Francis has opted for a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc.
He has also scrapped the tradition of placing the Pope’s body on a raised platform – known as a catafalque – in St Peter’s Basilica for public viewing.
Instead, mourners will be invited to pay their respects while his body remains inside the coffin, with the lid removed.
Francis will also be the first Pope in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican.
The new Pope has to be chosen by the Catholic Church’s most senior officials, known as the College of Cardinals.
All men, they are appointed directly by the Pope, and are usually ordained bishops.
There are currently 252 Catholic cardinals, 138 of whom are eligible to vote for the new Pope.
The others are over the age of 80, which means they cannot take part in the election, although they can join in the debate over who should be selected.
Share this: