A POPE FOR THE MASSES

IN THE same square Pope Francis delivered his final Easter message on Sunday, bells yesterday rang out to announce his death and plunge Catholics into mourning.

- BY CIARA O'LOUGHLIN and LOUISE BURNE

Thousands stood silently in the centre of Vatican City as shock and sadness filled the morning air at news the 88-year-old champion of the needy, the persecuted, the oppressed and the exploited had died from a stroke and heart failure at 7.35am.

Despite his ill-health in recent months, Francis was working right up until the end, with his message on Easter Sunday in St Peter's Square highlighting the plight of the sick, the elderly, victims of war and refugees.

A public viewing of his body will take place in St Peter's Basilica and his funeral will take place within four to six days of his death as the process to elect his successor begins.

A “simple” tomb “in the ground” bearing only the inscription Franciscus at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome - outside the walls of the Vatican -is among the Pope’ wishes for his burial, a final testament released last night stated.

WARMTH

Francis has been described as a “profound gift to the Church and the world” as Irish political and religious leaders paid tribute.

Many have praised his apology to victims of clerical sex abuse in 2018 when he became the second Pope to visit Ireland.

President Michael D Higgins said Francis had “unique humility” and “warmth” and there was an “abolition of any distance between himself and those with whom he was engaged”.