Pope Francis, who championed environmental protection since he became the head of the Roman Catholic Church in 2013, has died. He was 88.
The pope died Monday, the Vatican announced. His death followed a series of ailments; he was hospitalized with severe bronchitis in February and has suffered from respiratory problems in recent years. He had part of a lung removed when he was younger.
His death triggers the Roman Catholic Church’s search for a new leader for the first time since Francis assumed the papacy 12 years ago.
Pope Francis dramatically reshaped the papacy during his years in the position. The former janitor, bouncer and laboratory assistant became known as a pope “for the people” who urged the church to welcome LGBTQ+ people, advocated for the poor and championed environmental protection.
