Pope Francis, 88, dies on Easter Monday at his Vatican's Casa Santa Marta residence

Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died at his residence in the Vatican, officials confirmed on Monday. In a video statement, the Vatican said that the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church passed away at the age of 88 after prolonged illness. It ended a rather turbulent reign marked by division and tension as he sought to overhaul the Roman Catholic Church. In his 12 years of papacy, Pope Francis suffered several ailments.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell issued a statement that was published by the Vatican on its Telegram channel saying, “This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father."

"His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God," the Vatican's statement added.

On March 13, 2013, Pope Francis addressed millions from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica with a simple ‘brothers and sisters, good evening’. This was a clear departure from the usual "praised be Jesus Christ" salutation. The pontiff took the name Francis to honour Francis of Assisi, who was the saint associated with respect for the environment and concern for the poor.

Inheriting a deeply divided Church from his predecessor Benedict XVI, Pope Francis took several measures to overhaul the institution. The first non-European pope in 1,300 years, Francis' tenure was also marked by sexual abuse scandals.

Another key change ushered in by Pope Francis was greater gender parity. Constitution of the Vatican was overhauled under him. This allowed any baptised lay Catholic, including women, to head most departments in the Catholic Church's central administration.

(With agency inputs)