Pope Francis dies at 88

Pope Francis, a reformer from Argentina who rattled the Catholic Church’s traditionalists and inspired progressives by reaching out to gay people and championing the rights of immigrants and the poor, has died, the Vatican announced Monday.He was 88.“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell said in a statement released by the Vatican during the early hours of Monday.“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and the marginalized,” Farrell added.Pilgrims who have made the trip to the Vatican on Easter Monday, some to express love and support for the pontiff, were only slowly learning about the news of his death. Some arrived unaware, others prayed somberly as the news sank in.Mourners gathered as a hush fell over St. Peter’s Square, where the pope had appeared the day earlier in his wheelchair to bless worshippers.“Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter,” Francis said in what would be his last Easter address, waving and giving his blessing to applause.Follow live coveragePope Francis diesPope Francis on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Sunday.Tiziana Fabi / AFP – Getty ImagesUpon hearing of Francis’ death, a stream of people began making their way toward the basilica to pay their respects.“Even if I won’t be able to enter the Basilica, I came here with my husband to say a prayer,” Titti Lepore, 56, told NBC News, adding, “I’m Catholic, so as soon as I heard about Pope Francis’s death, I felt the need to come here.”The Vatican on Monday laid out plans for Francis’ body, saying that it would be placed in his coffin tonight in the Chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae.