The Vatican announces Pope Francis' death. Read the full text.

Pope Francis, the groundbreaking leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died Monday at the age of 88.

Before his death, Francis had experienced several health issues and spent five weeks in the hospital in February and March with bronchitis that developed into pneumonia in both lungs. He marked the 12th anniversary of his papacy from his hospital room.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, read the announcement of the pope's death from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lives. He was accompanied by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, substitute chief of staff and Archbishop Diego Ravelli, master of liturgical ceremonies.