Pope Francis' cause of death as pontiff dies aged 88 after painful health battle

after a severe dose of .

The Bishop of Rome, which was one of his official titles, died on Easter Monday just hours after addressing the crowds in St Peter's Square in the Vatican.

He had appeared in his wheelchair on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica and waved to the worshippers below, saying: "Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter."

In a statement this morning, Cardinal Kevin Farrell - Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church - announced Pope Francis' death with the words: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.

"At 7:35 this morning (local time), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.

"He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised."

He added: "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.”

Francis, having been born in , was the first pontiff from Latin America. He had been elected in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI for ill health.

On April 20, Easter Sunday, the Pope had written the special homily , giving it to one of his clergy to read aloud instead. He used it to call for more freedom and to condemn war.

"There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others," said his Easter delivery.

"What a great thirst for death, for killing we see in the many conflicts raging in different parts of the ."

Francis also gave a special mention to Gaza as the ongoing conflict "causes death and destruction" and creates a "deplorable humanitarian situation".

"I express my closeness to the sufferings... for all the people and the Palestinian people," the message said. "Call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace."

He was then driven around St Peter's Square to greet crowds, pausing as people brought over their babies to his procession for him to bless. Later he met American Vice-President JD Vance for a brief audience - with the potential for awkwardness as Francis had been an outspoken critic of Vance and Donald Trump's deportation policies.

It was one of the first times since his five-week hospital stay that Francis had been seen in public. He had been rushed to Gemelli hospital in Rome on February 14 with breathing difficulties, which led to an infection and double pneumonia.

While his official cause of death still has to be verified, it will come as no surprise to followers that his recent period of ill health had taken its toll on Francis.

His doctors had warned he faced two months of recovery after leaving hospital, but Francis had taken up 'light' duties after feeling strong enough.

Doctors had emphasised that the Pope's condition was complex due to his advanced age, lack of mobility and having lost part of a lung when he was younger.

In February and March, Francis experienced a series of respiratory crises, mild kidney failure, and a severe coughing fit early on. But they failed to douse the head of the Catholic Church's spirit, as he continued to work through his hospitalisation.

During his stay at Gemelli, he approved a process laying the groundwork for a reform project aiming to make the Roman Catholic Church more welcoming and responsive.

As the 1.4 billion Catholics around the world take in the tragic news, the Vatican will already be making plans to elect a new pontiff.

In a highly secretive process, the where they will be balloted in rounds until a new pope is selected from the body.

That will allow the 'white smoke' to rise from the chimney of a stove inside the Sistine Chapel, signifying to the entire world that the Church has a new leader.

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