World pays tribute to Pope

POPE Francis has been hailed by the UK’s religious leaders, the King, and the Prime Minister as a voice for the poor and the marginalised, as they paid tribute to the pontiff following his death on Easter Monday.

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The leader of the world’s Roman Catholics died yesterday at the age of 88, a day after an appearance to bless the thousands of people in St Peter's Square in the Vatican City on Easter Sunday. He had resumed some official duties earlier this month, during his recovery from pneumonia. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the leader of Catholics in England and Wales, said the pontiff’s death “brings great sadness to so many around the world, both within the Catholic Church and in societies in general”.

Cardinal Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, said: “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”.

The King said he and the Queen were “most deeply saddened” to learn of the Pope’s death and “were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month”.

Charles and Camilla visited the pontiff at the Vatican on April 9, on the day the royal couple celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.