Pope Francis has died, the Reuters news agency reports with reference to the Vatican.
"Pope Francis has passed away," the publication says.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, said the death of the pontiff was recorded at 7:35 a.m.
"Today <...> Bishop Francis of Rome returned to his Father's house. His whole life was devoted to serving the Lord and His church. He taught us to live the values of the gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the benefit of the poorest and most disadvantaged. With great gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we entrust the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God," the Holy See's press service quoted the cardinal as saying.
Dad was 88 years old. In mid-February, he was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Clinic for treatment of bronchitis, and then examinations showed the onset of bilateral pneumonia. Dad spent five weeks in the hospital, suffered four respiratory crises, and his life was in danger twice.
The pontiff was discharged on March 23, and since then he has appeared in public only twice, the last time on the eve of his death, congratulating the faithful on Easter. He also gave several audiences, in particular, in early April, he received the British King Charles III, and on Holy Saturday, the Vice President of the United States, J. D. Vance.
Argentine Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope on March 13, 2013, after the abdication of Benedict XVI. He was the first representative of the New World to be elected to the Holy See.