Pope Francis has died aged 88 following weeks of health issues, the Vatican has confirmed.
The Vatican said in a statement on Monday morning: “At 7:35 this morning (local time), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.”
The Pope was last seen in public on Easter Sunday, where he blessed thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square.
In February, the Pope was admitted to hospital for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia and stayed there for 38 days.
Francis had long battled health problems; he had part of one lung removed as a young man and suffered long bouts of acute bronchitis in winter.
Pope Francis was last seen on Easter Sunday. Credit: AP
Tributes began pouring in quickly from around the world following his death.
King Charles, who met with the Pope earlier this month, said he and his wife were “deeply saddened” following his death.
In a statement issued on Monday, the King said: “His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others.”
A royal source also said the Union flag will be flown half mast at royal residences where the King is not in residence and sombre music will be played at the Changing the Guard ceremony to reflect “the sadness of the occasion.”
ITV News Correspondent Julie Etchingham remembers the life of Pope Francis
US Vice President JD Vance, who met with the Pope on Sunday, the day before he died, paid tribute saying: “My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.
“I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill.
“But I’ll always remember him for the homily he gave in the very early days of Covid. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul.”
The King and Queen met the pope earlier this month. Credit: PA
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the news of Francis’ death “deeply saddens us, as we are saying goodbye to a great man and a great shepherd.
“I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his counsel and his teachings, which never failed me, not even in times of trial and suffering.”
She added that “his teaching and legacy will not be lost. We bid farewell to the Holy Father with hearts full of sorrow, but we know that he is now in the peace of the Lord.”
Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster and the most senior Catholic in England of Wales, said: “The death of Pope Francis brings great sadness to so many around the world, both within the Catholic Church and in societies in general.”
“A voice proclaiming the innate dignity of every human being, especially those who are poor or marginalised, is now silent. The legacy he leaves is one we must seek to carry forward and strengthen.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute, saying he was a “Pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten. He was close to the realities of human fragility, meeting Christians around the world facing war, famine, persecution and poverty. Yet he never lost hope of a better world.”
He was elected pope in 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
Originally born in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he chose Francis as his Papal name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Francis was the first pope from South America and the first from the Jesuit order – a Roman Catholic order known for its educational and charitable works.
Pope Francis delivered his blessing from the window of his private library overlooking St Peter’s Square in 2020. Credit: AP
The son of Italian immigrants rose to prominence in Argentina after strongly criticising capitalism during a financial crisis which rocked the country in 2001.
He often stressed the role of the Church in serving the poor and marginalised, and was seen to soften the Church’s line towards issues such as divorce.
He also promoted unity between Catholics, non-Catholics and non-Christians and apologised for the child abuse scandal in the Church.
He was seen as a progressive reformer within the church and often upset conservatives with his outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics and crackdown on traditionalists.
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