Pope Francis, the 88-year-old leader of the Catholic Church, has passed away at 7:35 am, according to an announcement from the Vatican. Cardinal Kevin Farrell confirmed the news of his passing, highlighting the Pope’s unwavering commitment to the Church and its marginalized followers. With his death, the College of Cardinals, made up of 115 voting members, will gather in Rome for a confidential conclave to select the new pontiff, upholding longstanding customs that have been in place for centuries. This significant event will determine the future direction of the Church and its global followers.