Pope Francis Has Died. He was 88 Years Old.

Pope Francis, history’s first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change, died Monday. He was 88.

Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement, which was read out by Cardinal Kevin Farrell from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived.

“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,” said Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, who takes charge after a pontiff’s death.

Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.

He emerged on Easter Sunday — his last public appearance, a day before his death — to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square and treat them to a surprise popemobile romp through the piazza, drawing wild cheers and applause. Beforehand, he met briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

UPDATE 7:30 AM EDT --

WORLD LEADERS PAY TRIBUTE TO POPE FRANCIS:

White House: "Rest in Peace, Pope Francis.”

JD Vance: "My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him."

Modi: "Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world."

King Charles: “His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others.”

UK PM Keir Starmer: “His tireless efforts to promote a world that is fairer for all will leave a lasting legacy.”

Macron: “He was a man of humility, on the side of the most vulnerable and most fragile."

Italian PM Georgia Meloni: “A great man has left us. His teaching and his legacy will not be lost.”

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez: “His commitment to peace, social justice, and the most vulnerable leaves a profound legacy.”

Dutch PM Dick Schoof: "Pope Francis was in every way a man of the people."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: “He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate."

Polish PM Donald Tusk: “He was a good, warm and sensitive man."

Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi: “He was a voice of peace, love and compassion."

Israeli President Isaac Herzog: hailed his "boundless compassion."

Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter: “He was a great spiritual leader, a tireless advocate for peace."