Pope Francis Dies at Age 88

Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican said in a video statement on April 21, ending an often turbulent reign marked by division and tension as he sought to overhaul the institution.

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican said in a video statement on April 21, ending an often turbulent reign marked by division and tension as he sought to overhaul the institution.

He was 88, and had suffered a serious bout of double pneumonia. But his death came as a shock as a day earlier, on Easter Sunday, he had been driven around St Peter's Square to greet cheering crowds.

"Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis," Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced on the Vatican's TV channel. "At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father."

Cardinal Farrell will preside over a rite at 8pm on April 21 (2am Singapore time on April 22) when the Pope's body will be placed in a casket.

A spokesman said his body might be moved to St Peter's Basilica as early as the morning of April 23 to allow the faithful to pay their respects. No date has been set for the funeral.

Pope Francis had on April 20 made his first prolonged public appearance since being discharged on March 23 after a 38-day hospital stay for pneumonia.