Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed. His death comes just one day after he made a public appearance in Vatican City. The Pope had been dealing with health problems in recent weeks.
Pope Francis served as the spiritual leader for more than a billion Catholics around the world. Known for his humble style and efforts to bring people together, he became Pope in 2013 and was the first ever from South America.
Following his death, the Catholic Church will enter a period of mourning. Then, all cardinals under the age of 80 will gather in Vatican City to choose the next pope. This special meeting is called a conclave and usually takes about two to three weeks.
Until a new pope is elected, the Church will be guided by senior officials. Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy of kindness, care for the poor, and a focus on protecting the planet.
His passing marks the end of a significant chapter in the Church’s history.
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