ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Pope Francis died at his residence on Monday after receiving treatment for weeks for an infection that led to double pneumonia.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the death of the pope.
"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father," he said in a statement.
The 88-year-old Pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital in on February 14. He was later diagnosed with pneumonia.
After 38 days, he was discharged from the hospital and appeared in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican to wish a "Happy Easter" to thousands of worshippers.
Pope Francis made a historic visit to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in March 2021, where he visited several cities across the country and held a mass for 10,000 people in Erbil.
In February, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani sent his heartfelt wishes for the speedy recovery of the Pope, praising the Pontiff’s message of peace and unity.
Updated at 12:00 pm
