Pope Francis has died.
This is according to the BBC, among other global platforms.
He died at the age of 88, the Vatican said.
The Head of the Catholic Church had been battling sickness recently.
According to the BBC, who described the late Pope as ‘A voice for peace with a contagious smile,’ tributes from across the world have been pouring in for the late Pope Francis.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof says “Pope Francis was in every way a man of the people;”
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola says “his contagious smile captured millions of people’s hearts across the globe;”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog hails his “boundless compassion;”
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter says Pope Francis was a “great spiritual leader, a tireless advocate for peace;”
Scottish First Minister John Swinney describes him as “a voice for peace, tolerance and reconciliation.”
The 88-year-old pontiff spent five weeks in hospital with pneumonia in February and March. According to his medical team, the pope came close to death during the illness.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church.
