Pope Francis death latest: King Charles leads tributes after head of Catholic church dies aged 88 – UK Times

The Pope died on Monday morning, at just after 7:30am.

In a statement from Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, his time of death was confirmed.

The senior Vatican official said: “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.

“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.”

Argentina’s President Javier Milei has paid tribute to Pope Francis.

The pontiff was born Jorge Bergoglio in the country’s capital Buenos Aires, and became the first Latin American Pope when he was chosen to lead the Catholic Church in 2013.

Mr Milei said that despite his differences with the Pope, he was profoundly sad over his death.

“Despite differences that seem minor today, having been able to know him in his kindness and wisdom was a true honour for me,” Mr Milei said on social media.

“As President, as an Argentine, and, fundamentally, as a man of faith, I bid farewell to the Holy Father and stand with all of us who are today dealing with this sad news.”

Pope Francis was a transformative figure in the Catholic Church, known as much for his progressive reforms as for the controversies they stirred within its ranks.

Stuti Mishra explores the pontiff’s most contentious changes and persistent controversies:

Former US president Joe Biden has paid tribute to Pope Francis, saying he was “a Pope for everyone”.

“He was unlike any who came before him. Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time and I am better for having known him,” Mr Biden wrote on social media.

“For decades, he served the most vulnerable across Argentina and his mission of serving the poor never ceased. As Pope, he was a loving pastor and challenging teacher who reached out to different faiths.”

Mr Biden said Pope Francis advocated for peace and to protect the planet from the climate crisis, and fought for “the voiceless and powerless”.

“He made all feel welcome and seen by the Church. He promoted equity and an end to poverty and suffering across the globe,” the former US president said.

“And above all, he was a Pope for everyone. He was the People’s Pope – a light of faith, hope, and love.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Pope Francis returned to the home of his heavenly father.

“This news saddens us deeply, because a great man and a great pastor have left us,” she said.

“I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice and his teachings, which never failed even in moments of trial and suffering.”

US President Donald Trump has shared a tribute to Pope Francis.

“Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!” he wrote on social media.

The tribute came after a newly resurfaced video shows the Pope questioning Mr Trump’s Christianity.

The canonisation of the first millennial saint has been suspended due to Pope Francis’ death.

Carlo Acutis, an Italian boy who died from leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15, was originally set to be made a saint at a ceremony in St. Peter’s Square on April 27.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni added that the ongoing Jubilee, or Catholic Holy Year, will continue as planned despite the passing of the pope.

Churchgoers at Westminster Cathedral in central London have paid tribute to the late Pope at their Easter Monday service.

Father Patrick van der Vorst, who led the service, said it was “symbolic that he died on Easter Monday”.

“He was always there to serve the poor”, he added.

Barbara Keeley, the Labour peer and former frontbench MP, told the PA news agency after the mass: “During a time of war in the world, the Pope was a voice for peace and supporting those who are suffering.”

Parishioner Patrick Somerville, 87, from Westminster, said: “He has had a worldwide impact on all leaders and all peoples.

“I spoke this morning to my newsagent who told me his mother, who is a Hindu, loved Pope Francis, and I think that says it all.

“He brought love to the whole world in a humble way.”