Pope Francis Dies at 88; Funeral Set for Saturday

Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years and was known for his humility and outreach to marginalized communities, has died at age 88. His body lies in state at St. Peter's Basilica, attracting tens of thousands of mourners and prompting the Vatican to extend viewing hours. Many queued for hours or overnight to pay their respects, while some mourners debated the appropriateness of selfies and photography at the vigil. Francis requested a simplified funeral with his casket placed on a simple ramp, emphasizing his humble approach to the papacy. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, with extensive security measures in place and anticipated attendance from world leaders and hundreds of thousands of mourners. His papacy focused on inclusion and reform, but also faced criticism from conservative factions within the church.