VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis died unexpectedly on Easter Monday morning, plunging the world's Roman Catholics and his tiny city state into mourning, Vatican officials said. The Argentine pontiff, 88, expired less than 24 hours after his receiving the American Vice-President, J.D. Vance, in a private audience, and touring St Peter's Square in his popemobile greeting pilgrims and the faithful on Easter Sunday.

 No cause of death immediately was announced by the Holy See but Italian media speculated Francis may have had a stroke and that his death was not directly related to respiratory problems that led to his beinh hospitalised for treatment for double pneumonia earlier this year. The Vatican said the papal Chamberlain, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, was presiding Monday evening over the placing of Francis' body in an open coffin after which it would be made available to members of the Curia, the central government of the Church, for them to pay their last respects before the funeral is held in coming days.

 Cardinal Farrell broke the news of the surprise death of the pope to the world Monday morning "with great sadness" stating, “dearest brothers and sisters, it is with profound grief that I must announce the death of our Saint Father Francesco. At 7.35 a.m. this morning the Bishop of Rome returned to the home of our father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church. He taught us to live the values ​​of the Gospel with faith, courage and universal love and above all to aid those who are poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”

 The pontiff had been battling two bouts of pneumonia since January and had recently begun to make limited public appearances, giving the public hope that he may have been on his way to recovery. The Vatican has not yet disclosed the cause of Francis’ death.

  Condolences were pouring in from people and leaders over the world. President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella released a statement saying, “I learned with great personal sorrow the news of the death of Pope Francis and I sense the serious void that was created by the loss of the point of reference that he has always represented for me.The death of Pope Francis will arouse both pain and emotion among Italians and throughout the world. His teaching has brought back the evangelical message, solidarity among men, the duty of closeness to the weakest, international cooperation and peace in humanity. Gratitude towards him must be translated with the responsibility to work, as he has constantly done, for these objectives". "It is a profound sorrow, a great man leaves us,” said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as reported by Rainews. og

 Series A football has also come to a halt to observe a brief period of morning for the deceased pope. A spokesperson for Lega Seria A said that, “following the loss of the holy father, the National League of Series A Professionals announces that the matches scheduled for today between Enilive and Primavera 1, the A Series Championships are postponed to a date yet to be determined.