Pope Francis Dead at 88, Vatican Confirms - Read Statement

Pope Francis has died at 88.

The head of the Catholic Church, whose real name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died on Monday (April 21), the Vatican confirmed in a statement.

The pope’s death comes after his recent battle with pneumonia in both lungs. He was discharged from a Rome hospital just weeks ago and returned to the Vatican, where he made a surprise public appearance on April 6.

Pope Francis‘ death was confirmed in a statement by the Vatican camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell.