Palestinian Christians mourn Pope's death

Palestinian Christians in Gaza on Monday mourned the death of Pope Francis, who had maintained close and consistent video contact with the territory's small Christian community throughout the ongoing war. Since the outbreak of Israel brutal genocide in Gaza, Francis had regularly called Gaza's Christians, often several times a week, offering prayers, encouragement and solidarity. Pope Francis died of a stroke, the Vatican announced hours after the death on Monday. The 88-year-old reformer served 12 years as head of the Catholic Church. The Argentine pontiff died at his Santa Marta residence in the Vatican almost a month after leaving hospital following five weeks battling double pneumonia. One day after he greeted Easter crowds in St Peter's Square.