Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican said in a video statement on Monday.
This marked the end of a turbulent reign stained by division and tension as he sought to overhaul the hidebound institution.
"This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father," said Cardinal Kevin Farrell in the statement published by the Vatican on its Telegram channel.
He was 88, and had suffered various ailments in his 12 year papacy.
