Pope Francis died on Easter Monday aged 88, the Vatican announced today.
The Pontiff spent his final weeks in hospital with an infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs
The Conclave—where cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to choose a successor – will not happen for at least 15 days.
Francis’s body will lie is state in St. Peter’s Basilica during the official mourning period, and then – in contrast to most of his predecessors – he will be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome’s Esquilino neighbourhood.
Francis just yesterday greeted Catholic faithful who had gathered to see him at St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday. He delivered his benediction from a balcony overlooking the square following mass to mark the high holiday.
Francis became the first pope from outside Europe in 1,300 years when he was chosen to replace the retiring Pope Benedict XV1
Despite several previous health issues and reduced mobility caused in part by his advancing years and expanding waistline, Francis had kept up a busy schedule until his final weeks.
