The Vatican said today that Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88.
Due to an illness that progressed to pneumonia in both lungs, the Pontiff spent his last weeks in the hospital.
It will be at least 15 days until the Conclave, where cardinals convene in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel to select a successor.
Unlike most of his predecessors, Francis will be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in the Esquilino neighborhood of Rome after his body is placed in state in St. Peter’s Basilica for an official period of mourning.
Just yesterday, on Easter Sunday, Francis welcomed Catholic faithful who had flocked to see him in St. Peter’s Square. After the high holiday service, he gave his ‘Urbi et Orbi’ benediction from a balcony facing the Piazza.