# Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 at his Vatican residence this morning. The announcement was made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who praised the Pope’s lifelong service to the Roman Catholic Church and the poor. The pontiff suffered from pneumonia after years of respiratory illness and had returned home from hospital just weeks ago. He was appointed cardinal by Pope John Paul the second in 2001 and as Pope in 2013. He implemented significant reforms including the creation of an accountable Vatican Bureaucracy.
Pope Francis dies on Easter Monday, aged 88