Pope Francis, the Bishop of Rome, passed away on Monday at age 88, the Vatican announced via its Telegram channel.
His death comes just a day after he made a much-anticipated appearance in St. Peter\u0019s Square for Easter Sunday, where he led prayers in front of a global audience.
"This morning at 7:35 a.m. (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father," Cardinal Kevin Farrell said in the Vatican statement.
The sudden news has resonated worldwide as people reflect on his message of compassion and unity.
Further details on memorial services will be shared by the Vatican in the coming days.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
