World pays tribute as Pope dies of heart failure at 88

Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church and a pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor, died yesterday aged 88.

- ALEX CROFT, RICH BOOTH, RACHEL CLUN

He had suffered a serious bout of double pneumonia in recent weeks but his death came as a shock, hours after he greeted crowds while being driven around St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday and after a private meeting with the US vice-president, JD Vance.

The Vatican said he had died from a stroke and subsequent heart failure.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, a trusted aide, said: “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalised. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Tribune.”

As the sun set over St Peter’s Square yesterday, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti led a prayer in commemoration.

Francis’s coffin will be moved from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where he lived to St Peter’s Basilica as early as tomorrow morning to allow the faithful to pay their respects. In a change ordered by Francis, the body will no longer be placed on an elevated bier in the basilica. Rather, the wooden coffin will be placed facing the pews.

No date has yet been set for his funeral. Tributes for him poured in from around the world, with many leaders praising his humility, dedication and teachings. His native Argentina ordered seven days of mourning, as did neighbouring Brazil.

King Charles and Queen Camilla, who had visited the Pope on an official trip to Italy earlier this month, said they were “deeply saddened”, adding: “But our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry.