Pope Francis has died at age 88 after battling double pneumonia and other health complications.
The Vatican confirmed his death and has begun the sacred transition process.
A conclave of 137 cardinals under 80 will now vote in the Sistine Chapel to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church.
Potential successors include Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Luis Tagle, Cardinal Peter Turkson, and others.
The world watches for the white smoke that will signal the next pope—marking a historic shift for 1.3 billion Catholics globally.
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