Pope Francis the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church died at the age of 88, Vatican confirmed in a video statement on Monday.
Pope Fransic was 88 and he had suffered various ailments in his 12 year papacy.
This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father,” said Cardinal Kevin Farrell in the statement published by the Vatican on its Telegram channel.
After giving his Easter greetings to the crowd, estimated at more than 35,000 people, from the basilica’s balcony, Francis delegated the reading of his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and the World”) benediction to an associate.
“There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others,” read his speech, which also condemned “worrisome” anti-Semitism, and the “dramatic and deplorable” situation in Gaza.
Francis earned the nickname “the pope of the slums” for his deep commitment to the poor and marginalized. Throughout his ministry — both in Argentina and as pope — he regularly visited impoverished communities, advocating for social justice and the Church’s role as a refuge for the overlooked and oppressed.