Pope Francis, Latin America’s Humble Shepherd of Faith and Grace, Dies at 88

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis, the pioneering Latin American pontiff renowned for his humility and compassion toward the marginalized, passed away on Monday at age 88. Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced his death, noting, “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.”Church bells tolled globally, marking the solemn occasion. Descended from Italy, Francis reshaped the papacy, advocating for the underprivileged and confronting climate change. His legacy abounds in compassion, reform, and outreach.