Vatican City/IBNS: Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City state, died at the age of 88 on Monday.

Pope Francis died at his residence after prolonged illness, the Vatican has announced.

The Vatican News wrote on X, "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church.

"He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God."

The pontiff, who was the first Latin-American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, became the Pope in 2013.

He had suffered ailments on multiple occasions over the last 12 years.