The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis died Monday at the age of 88. Pope Francis previously expressed his wishes to be buried in the St Marys Major Basilica instead of St Peter's Basilica or its grottoes, which is where most Popes are buried. Pope Francis was elected as the Pope in 2013. He was born in Argentina. Pope Francis was inspired to join the Jesuits in 1958 after recovering from severe illness. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969. With his passing and impending funeral, the Catholic Church begins nine days of official mourning, known as the “novemdiales” and the conclave begins to elect a new Pope.