ST. LOUIS – Pope Francis passed away early Monday morning at the age of 88, leaving the world in mourning.

Vatican officials confirmed that Pope Francis died just after 12:30 a.m. central time on Monday. Despite his recent health struggles, including a hospital stay for double pneumonia, his death came as a shock to many, as he had appeared for the traditional Easter blessing at the Vatican on Sunday and held a brief meeting with Vice President JD Vance.

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, was known for his advocacy for the poor, migrants, and the environment. His papacy, which began in March 2013, was marked by a focus on humility and outreach to marginalized communities.

Community leaders across the St. Louis region are mourning the loss of Pope Francis and have released the following statements:

“His election as our Holy Father has been marked by great humility,” said Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski of St. Louis. “His unceasing concern for the poor demonstrated to us how we may live out of the Gospel in our world.” Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski is expected to celebrate a Mass at noon Monday at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, where he will be available for comments afterward.

Bishop Thomas Paprocki from the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, stated, “Today, our church mourns and prays. Pope Francis showed what it means to be a witness of love.”

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, originally from St. Louis and now the Archbishop of New York, also spoke about Pope Francis, highlighting his contributions to the Church and his advocacy for peace.

Leaders around the world are also sharing their tributes to Pope Francis following his passing.

“Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!” President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social.

“Pope Francis was the rare leader who made us want to be better people in his humility and his gestures at once simple and profound,” former President Barack Obama shared in a post with a picture of himself with the pope in the oval office. “Today, Michelle and I mourn with everyone around the world—Catholic and non-Catholic alike—who drew strength and inspiration from the Pope’s example.”

In the aftermath of Pope Francis’ death, there will be a period of mourning, and then all of the Cardinals under the age of 80 will convene in the conclave to pick a new pope. Cardinal Dolan will be among those eligible to vote in the conclave for the next pontiff.

All facts from this article were gathered by KTVI journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KTVI staff.