Pope Francis dies at 88

This file photo taken on May 26, 2024 shows Pope Francis waving to the crowd as he attends an event at St. Peter's Square in Vatican. Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88, the Vatican said in a statement. Born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio on Dec. 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, he had served as the head of the Roman Catholic Church since 2013. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)

ROME, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88, the Vatican said in a statement.

Born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio on Dec. 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, he had served as the head of the Roman Catholic Church since 2013.

This file photo taken on March 13, 2024 shows Pope Francis waving to the crowd as he attends an event at St. Peter's Square in Vatican. Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88, the Vatican said in a statement.

Born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio on Dec. 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, he had served as the head of the Roman Catholic Church since 2013. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)

This file photo taken on March 13, 2024 shows Pope Francis waving to the crowd as he attends an event at St. Peter's Square in Vatican. Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88, the Vatican said in a statement.

Born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio on Dec. 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, he had served as the head of the Roman Catholic Church since 2013. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)

This file photo taken on March 31, 2024 shows Pope Francis waving to the crowd as he attends an event at St. Peter's Square in Vatican. Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88, the Vatican said in a statement.

Born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio on Dec. 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, he had served as the head of the Roman Catholic Church since 2013. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)