After giving St. Peter’s Basilica a morning blessing, Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. Easter Monday, April 21. He was 88. 

The pope had been admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital Feb. 14 for bronchitis before being diagnosed with pneumonia Feb. 18. After 34 days, the Pope was released back to his home in the Vatican. 

His last public appearance was to bless thousands in St. Peter’s Square for Easter Sunday. This marked his 12th Easter Sunday and year as pope.

Francis was the first pope ever elected from Latin America, as an Argentine native, as well as the first Jesuit to ever serve as pope. 

The tradition of the papal conclave will now take place, 15-20 days after the pope’s death. Once the conclave starts, cardinals will not leave until a new pope is chosen and white smoke will burn from the Vatican. If there is still no decision, black smoke will blow. 

_{Pope Francis often blessed St. Peter’s Square every Sunday at 12 p.m. Now, there will be a papal vacancy with no blessings until a new pope is chosen. (Photo/Emma Colarte Delgado)}