
Il Presidente della Repubblica Sergio Mattarella incontra Papa Francesco
ROME — Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church and a vocal advocate for the poor and marginalized, died early Monday morning at age 88, the Vatican announced.
Francis passed away at his Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta, the day after Easter Sunday. He had recently been recovering from double pneumonia and appeared briefly during Holy Week celebrations, including an Easter Sunday blessing.
Known for modernizing reforms and outreach to vulnerable communities, Francis led the Church from 2013 until his death. His passing begins a formal nine-day mourning period and will soon lead to a conclave to select a new pope.
Cardinals, global leaders, and faithful worldwide have begun paying tribute to a figure who reshaped the Church and challenged long-standing traditions.