The death of 88-year-old Pope Francis that occurred at the Vatican yesterday moments after he had appeared at the Easter Sunday mass to bless pilgrims, brings to an end the 12-year reign of man who was viewed as the “Peoples Pope.”

His death, coming shortly after the Urbi et Orbi (blessings and messages), a traditional function that the Pope carries out twice in a year mainly on Easter Sunday and during Christmas is now widely being viewed as a goodbye gesture he had come to bid Catholics worldwide.

Pope Francis, the first Latin American Pontiff has been ailing for a while now. He was hospitalised about a month ago where he stayed for two weeks. Prior to that, his health had deteriorated since last year and even had difficulty walking. He was discharged last week but doctors advised that he stays out of any strenuous work for two months.