Pope Francis died on Monday, a day after making a much hoped-for appearance at Saint Peter鈥檚 Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said in a statement.
He was 88.
鈥楧earest brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,鈥� said Cardinal Kevin Farrell in the statement published by the Vatican on its Telegram channel.
鈥楾his morning at 7:35am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and his church.鈥�
Francis鈥檚 death came just a day after he delighted the crowds of worshippers at the Vatican on Easter Sunday with an appearance on the balcony at Saint Peter鈥檚 Basilica despite still convalescing after a severe illness.
Francis had come close to dying twice earlier this year while suffering from pneumonia.
He spent 38 days in hospital before he was released on March 23.
On Sunday he wished the crowds on Saint Peter鈥檚 Square a 鈥楬appy Easter鈥� as he waved and in his traditional 鈥楿rbi et Orbi鈥� (鈥楾o the City and the World鈥�) benediction he called for freedom of thought and tolerance.
