Retired Halifax archbishop James Hayes has died at the age of 92.

The Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth sent a news release about the former archbishop's death, saying he had died in hospital early Tuesday morning.

Hayes served as curate at St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica, and during that time became a regular visitor at Halifax-area hospitals visiting sick patients and their families.

He was ordained as a priest in 1947, when he was 23, and served as the ninth archbishop of the former archdiocese of Halifax from 1967 to 1990.

Hayes was ordained as a priest in 1947, when he was 23. (Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth)

After he retired from the ministry, Hayes continued his visits to the sick and dying.

"In the 10 years I've known him here in Halifax, I've always found him to be a welcoming, gentle and kind man who has always been supportive of bringing the church forward to a credible expression of the gospel," current Halifax-Yarmouth Archbishop Anthony Mancini said in a statement.

Following his retirement, Hayes went on to serve as chaplain at the palliative care centre at the QEII hospital in Halifax until officially retiring in 2012.

Visitation and funeral details are yet to be released.