Pope Francis, arguably one of the most popular popes in recent history, has passed away, the Vatican said Monday. He was 88.
"This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father," said Cardinal Kevin Farrell in the statement published by the Vatican on its Telegram channel.
Pope Francis, beloved ‘Lolo Kiko’ to Filipinos, has passed away: Vatican
For many Filipinos, their connection to the pope was on a personal level after the head of the Catholic Church visited the country for a pastoral and state visit from January 15-19, 2015.
Dubbed "Lolo Kiko" by Filipinos, Francis gathered some six million attendees, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, for his concluding mass at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. It was reportedly the largest papal gathering in history.
The pope also visited and held Mass in Tacloban, despite torrential rain as he stood in solidarity with survivors of Typhoon Yolanda, which caused widespread death and destruction in Leyte and Samar islands.
What happens when the pope dies
[[PHOTO ALBUM]]