Pope Francis, head of the Catholic church, is dead.
In a statement, the Vatican said the pope “died on Easter Monday at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta”.
He was 88 years of age.
Cardinal Farrell, camerlengo of the Catholic church, said the pope passed away at 7:35am.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7.35am, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” Farrell said.
“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of 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 marginalized.
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“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.”
On Easter Sunday, the pope was pictured greeting crowds from the gallery of St Peter’s Basilica after celebrating mass with the faithful.
Pope Francis had been battling bilateral pneumonia and was discharged from hospital on March 23.
