Pope Francis, the trailblazing Catholic leader known for his human-rights advocacy and sharp political edge, died Monday, April 21, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta after battling a long series of health complications stemming from a chronic lung disease, the Vatican announced.

The pontiff had been hospitalized on Feb. 14 with bronchitis, contracted pneumonia four days later and was listed in "critical condition" by the Vatican on Saturday, Feb. 22. He never fully recovered.

"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis," said the cardinal chamberlain, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell. "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 Pope, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina in 1936, broke barriers in the Catholic Church when he became the first leader of the Vatican City State to hail from the Americas, and the first to represent the Jesuit order, an intellectual wing of the church that prioritizes philanthropy.

He was also the first pope ever to address Congress, visiting Capitol Hill in 2015, when he urged lawmakers of all stripes to set aside their differences for the sake of helping the world’s poor and disadvantaged.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), a devout Catholic, lionized Francis, portraying him as the perfect embodiment of the gospel of Matthew, which urges charity for those most in need.

“He has followed that lead,” Pelosi said. “He has, intellectually, been brilliant in taking the discussion to a place that is almost heavenly.”

Initially, Francis studied to be a chemical technician before........

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