BREAKING: POPE FRANCIS DIES AGED 88

Pope Francis’ death was announced earlier today by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican’s camerlengo, who stood at a microphone, reading a statement in his Irish-accented Italian.

“Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” he said. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church.”

As the camerlengo, Farrell is the acting head of the Vatican in the period between the death or resignation of a pope and appointment of the next leader of the Catholic Church.

CNN