Catholic pontiff, Pope Francis, has died aged 88 early Monday.
Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, camerlengo of the Catholic Church, said, “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.
“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 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.”
Pope Francis had a protracted battle with bilateral pneumonia. He was discharged from hospital on March 23.
The Argentine, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, emerged as leader of the Catholic Church on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on February 28, 2013.
He was the first pope from the Society of Jesus (the Jesuit Order) and the first from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere.
