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Pope Francis passed away at 88 years old on Monday morning, according to Vatican Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell.

Farrell announced, “This morning at 7:35, Francis, the Bishop of Rome, passed on. He dedicated his life to serving the Lord and His Church.”

The announcement continued, “He showed us how to live out the Gospel’s values with faithfulness, bravery, and universal love, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized.”

Farrell added, “With deep appreciation for his example as a true follower of Jesus, we entrust Pope Francis’s soul to the boundless, merciful love of the Triune God.”

This news follows a 38-day stay in a Rome hospital beginning February 14 for Francis, who had a history of chronic lung disease and a previous lung removal, to address a respiratory issue that evolved into double pneumonia.

This was the longest hospital stay during his 12-year papacy.

He was still recovering when he met with U.S. Vice President on Easter Sunday at the Casa Santa Marta.

The Pope gave the Vice President three large chocolate Easter eggs for Vance’s three young children, who were not present, along with a Vatican tie and rosaries.

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