Vatican Says Pope Francis Has Died
Pope Francis has died aged 88, the Vatican says
He died at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican news service says
“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church,” Cardinal Farrell says
World leaders are paying tribute, with French President Emmanuel Macron calling him a “man of humility” and the Dutch PM describing him as a “role model for Catholics and non-Catholics alike”
His death comes a day after he appeared in St Peter’s Square to wish “Happy Easter” to thousands of worshippers.
Tributes are pouring in now:
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof says “Pope Francis was in every way a man of the people”
Scottish First Minister John Swinney describes him as “a voice for peace, tolerance and reconciliation”
French President Emmanuel Macron is among the first world leaders to pay tribute to Pope Francis, calling him a “man of humility, on the side of the most vulnerable and most fragile”.
The Pope’s death comes fewer than 24 hours after he made an appearance at the Vatican’s St Peter’s Square for Easter Sunday.
He came out in a wheelchair and waved from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to cheering crowds and said: “Dear brothers and sisters, happy Easter.”
Following the blessing, he was driven around the square. As he passed through the crowds, his procession paused a number of times as babies were brought over for him to bless.
