Pope Francis, groundbreaking Jesuit pontiff, dies aged 88

Death of 267th head of Catholic church triggers period of global mourning and Vatican conclave of cardinals to elect successor

Pope Francis, the pontiff revered by millions of Catholics around the world whose popular appeal reached far beyond his global congregation, has died at the age of 88.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, said: “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.″