Pope Francis Catholic Church’s 1st Latin American Dies At 88

Pope Francis, the Catholic Church’s first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor, has died, as announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo. “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 said. Read the full announcement. Francis became pope in 2013. The Argentinean-born Jorge Mario Bergoglio brought a breath of fresh air into a 2,000-year-old institution. He took over as the Catholic Church’s influence waned during the troubled papacy of Pope Benedict XVI, whose surprise resignation led to Francis’ election. The next pope is still to be decided. Eligible cardinals vote for a papal successor in the Sistine Chapel in a centuries-old ritual. It comprises sacred oaths, Latin chants and white or black smoke emanating from the chimney from burned ballots.

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Source: AP News