DELPHOS, Ohio (WLIO) - Pope Francis passed away Easter Monday morning at the age of 88.
Francis served as the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church and was often called "the people's pope" because of his charisma. He was outspoken about his support for the poor and marginalized.
His passing follows a surprise Easter Sunday appearance in St. Peter’s Square, where he drew cheers and applause from the crowd — after an extended hospital stay during which he battled bilateral pneumonia.
Many Catholics around the world are mourning and remembering the legacy he left behind.
"I think the people of God had a lot of close affection, almost grandfatherly affection, for him, because he always just wanted to be around people. He wanted to be with his flock. He wanted to smell like the sheep. And so I think in that sort of like that grandfatherly Shepherd is what drew people to Pope Francis," said Fr. Jeffery Walker, pastor with Delphos St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.
The Vatican says the cause of Pope Francis’ death was a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.
Church doctrine calls for the pope to be buried usually four to six days after his death. Then, within three weeks, the College of Cardinals will gather in Rome for a papal conclave to choose his successor.
