The Vatican has announced with deep sorrow the passing of Pope Francis, spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The Argentine-born Pope died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, peacefully at his residence in Casa Santa Marta within Vatican City.
In recent weeks, he had been hospitalized due to complications from bronchitis and double pneumonia.
Remarkably, just a day before his death, Pope Francis made a surprise appearance in St. Peter’s Square, where he offered an Easter blessing to thousands. Arriving in a wheelchair, he greeted the crowd from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, joyfully saying, “Dear brothers and sisters, happy Easter.”
Pope Francis had served as the head of the Catholic Church since 2013.
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