Pope Francis has died, the Vatican confirmed in an official statement released earlier today.

According to a statement by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, the Pope died peacefully at 7:35 a.m. this morning at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City.

The Vatican described him as a faithful servant who dedicated his life to the Gospel, especially to the poor and marginalised.

Pope Francis was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in February with bronchitis, which later progressed to bilateral pneumonia. 

After 38 days of treatment, he returned to the Vatican to recover, but his condition worsened in the weeks that followed.