The pontiff has passed away at the age of 88, the Vatican has announced The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican has announced. Francis began his papacy in March 2013 and was the first pontiff from Latin America.  “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,″ Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, said in a statement on