Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died. This information is reported by Reuters, citing an official statement from the Vatican.

He was 88 years old and had recently suffered from severe pneumonia.

«Dear brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,» – quoted by Reuters, Cardinal Kevin Farrell stated during a broadcast on the Vatican channel.

«This morning at 7:35, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned home to the Father,» added the cardinal.

Thus, emphasizes Reuters, the often ambiguous papacy marked by division and tension has come to an end, as Francis sought to reform one of the world's largest religious organizations.

Previously, Ukrinform reported that the 88-year-old Pope Francis was hospitalized at the Roman hospital «Gemelli» due to a severe respiratory infection on February 14.

Initially, he was treated for bronchitis, but later diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia.

He spent several weeks in the hospital. This deterioration in his health was the most serious in 12 years of papacy.

The Holy See had only a few public appearances after he was discharged from the hospital on March 23 and returned to the Vatican. He missed the solemn services on Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

On Sunday, April 20, the Pope had a brief private meeting with U.S. Vice President Jay D. Vance.

Also, on Easter Sunday, the pontiff appeared before the crowd to bless the thousands gathered for mass in St. Peter's Square.