
Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pontiff, has died aged 88, just hours after making a surprise appearance in St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday to bless thousands of worshippers.
The Vatican confirmed his death early Easter Monday morning. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced that the Pope passed away at 7:35am at his residence in the Domus Santa Marta following a prolonged battle with respiratory illness.