BREAKING: Catholics In New York State Mourn Pope Francis

There are reports this Easter Monday that Pope Francis has passed away at the age of 88.

The announcement was made from the Vatican early on Monday following Easter services on Sunday that the Pope was in attendance for.

What We Know

The Pope had been dealing with health issues over the last few weeks and even was offering blessings shortly after he was released from the hospital. He was urged to rest, but the Pope continued to serve.

Pope Francis was the first from Latin America.

What Happens Next?

The search for the next Pope will begin soon. This is known as a "Conclave". In the Catholic Church that means that "papal conclave, in Roman Catholicism, the assembly of cardinals to elect a new pope and the system of strict seclusion to which they submit for the election process. The term conclave comes from the Latin phrase cum clave, meaning “with a key.”

It was quite a shock to get the news as we started our Easter Monday. I remember my mother talking about how sad she was when Pope John Paul I passed and how she cried when she had heard the news. The next Pope would be Pope John Paul II whom I recall was the first Pope that I had learned about when I was in Catholic elementary school.

Our thoughts are with all Catholics around the world and with those who now will be electing the next Pope.