The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis died of a stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure on Monday.
He asked to be buried in the ground at St. Mary Major Basilica, home to Francis’ favourite icon of the Virgin Mary, to whom he was particularly devoted. No date for the funeral has been announced.
The 88-year-old pontiff recently spent five weeks in a Rome hospital, battling against a life-threatening bout of double pneumonia, but returned to the Vatican and lighter duties towards the end of March.
Pneumonia can be a life-threatening condition for older people, babies, and those with heart or lung conditions.
Pope Francis would have been more at risk of lung conditions as he had the upper lobe of his right lung removed when he was young.
"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," Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo announced in the early Monday morning.
"He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalised. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Tribune."
The next pope is still to be decided.
Our journalists are working on this story and will update it as soon as more information becomes available.
