BREAKING: POPE FRANCIS DIES AT 88, ENDING TRANSFORMATIVE DECADE OF PAPAL LEADERSHIP

Vatican confirms pontiff "returned to the home of the Father" Monday morning.

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff who reshaped the Catholic Church with his emphasis on mercy and outreach to the margins, has died at 88. Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced his passing early Monday morning, stating "the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father" at 7:35 am.

Francis' death closes a remarkable chapter in Churc…