Pope Francis dies at 88

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - The Vatican announced Pope Francis has died.  He ushered in reforms to the centuries-old institution.

The pope and Vice President JD Vance met briefly on Easter Sunday. 

Pope Francis spoke briefly on Easter Sunday wishing the thousands in St. Peters Square a happy Easter.  He took a lap through the square in the pope mobile and blessed babies.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Pope in March of 2013, after the surprise resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.

Supporters say he brought a breath of fresh air into a 2,000-year-old institution.

He clashed repeatedly with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance over immigration.

The vice president said on X, “My heart goes out to the millions of Christians around the world who loved him.”  He added, “I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill.”

Starting in mid-February Pope Francis spent 38 days in the hospital after battling a severe case of pneumonia in both lungs.

The pope suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of a lung removed when he was young.

During his five-week stay in the hospital this year, the Vatican says Pope Francis had double pneumonia and a respiratory crisis.

In the statement announcing his death, the Vatican says, Pope Francis taught us to live with "universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized."