Pope Francis, whose time as head of the Catholic Church was noted for humility and outreach efforts to people of disparate backgrounds and faiths, has died at 88, the Vatican has confirmed.
Francis’ death on Monday comes after a series of worsening health problems, including a respiratory crisis that left him in critical condition in recent months. The Argentinian national was known as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos Aires, when he was elected the Catholic Church’s 266th supreme pontiff — and the first ever from Latin America — on March 13, 2013, replacing the retiring Pope Benedict XVI.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell serving as leader of Catholic Church until new pope is elected
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the senior Vatican official who announced Pope Francis’ death on Monday morning, will serve as head of the Catholic Church until a new pope is elected, according to the Vatican.
Born in Ireland, the 77-year-old Farrell has long ties in the United States, having served as the bishop of the Diocese of Dallas and auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., according to the Vatican.
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Apr 21, 11:34 AM
Trump orders flags to fly at half-staff
President Donald Trump has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Pope Francis, according to the White House.
“He was a good man, worked hard. He loved the world,” Trump said at the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday.