Holy See Press Office
Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church has died. He was aged 88.
The Pontiff died after a bout of pneumonia that laid him up in hospital for 38 days.
He has been the head of the Catholic Church since 2013.
He died at 7.35 am on Easter Monday.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, speaking on the Vatican’s Telegram channel, said:
“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.
“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.”
Francis was the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church – also the first from the Jesuit order.
On April 9th he meet with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
He wished the couple a happy 20th wedding anniversary.
There was a “private” exchange of gifts to mark the moment.
Buckingham Palace called the visit a “special moment”: “Che occasione speciale.”
Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio to Italian immigrants in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
He was the first Pope to be ordained from outside Europe since Gregory III, a Syrian who took up the role in the eighth century.
