CBS News —Rome — Pope Francis, who challenged deeply rooted norms and made it his mission to change the perception of the Catholic Church around the world, has died at the age of 88. The Vatican said Francis died just after 7:30 a.m. local time on Monday, a day after he surprised many by appearing outside the Vatican on Easter Sunday to greet well-wishers.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, formally announced Francis’ death on Monday, with a statement saying: “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.”

Francis had experienced a number of health issues in recent years, including two abdominal surgeries and several serious respiratory infections. He spent five weeks in the hospital in February and March 2025 with bronchitis that developed into pneumonia in both lungs. He marked the 12th anniversary of his papacy from his hospital room.

The pontiff was pushed in a wheelchair into the room for an interview at his Vatican residence with CBS News’ Norah O’Donnell in April 2024. But while he was having difficulty walking, he spoke clearly during the hourlong conversation about his prayers for an end to the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. In more recent appearances, however, the pontiff clearly struggled for breath as he delivered planned remarks.

Francis’ simple style was a product of his humble beginnings. He was born in 1936 to an immigrant Italian railway worker and a housewife in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a young man, he lost part of a lung to an infection. He worked at various menial jobs and studied chemistry.

Despite drawing fire from Catholic conservatives for being too liberal, Francis reaffirmed long-standing church doctrines opposing same-sex marriage, and on pretty much everything else from birth control to ordaining women.