Pope Francis dies aged 88: Live updates and reaction as Vatican announces death of pontiff

Here’s our video explainer following the breaking news this morning that Pope Francis has died at the age of 88.

We will bring you the latest updates and reaction from across the world.

We are starting to get the first stream of tributes for Pope Francis from across the world as foreign leaders and government send their condolences to the Vatican.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised the deceased Pope Francis on Monday as ‘a man of deep faith and boundless compassion’.

He rightly saw great importance in fostering strong ties with the Jewish world and in advancing interfaith dialogue as a path toward greater understanding and mutual respect.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei added:

My colleagues have just informed me of the news… I offer my condolences to all Christians around the world.

Scottish First Minister John Swinney described Francis as ‘a voice for peace, tolerance and reconciliation’.

It is with deep sadness I heard the news this morning of the death of Pope Francis. He was a voice for peace, tolerance and reconciliation in our society. He brought comfort, assurance and hope to many. May he Rest in Peace.

Ireland’s premier Michael Martin paid tribute to Pope Francis as an ‘exceptional’ leader who holds “a special place in the hearts of Irish people”.

On behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, I offer my heartfelt sympathies and my deepest condolences to all who mourn him, to His Eminence Cardinal Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, to his family and friends, and to the Catholic community worldwide that has lost an exceptional leader.

People have started gathering in St Peter’s Square following the news Pope Francis has died this morning.

Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced that Francis died at 7:35am local time (6.35am UK time).

by Harry Howard, History Editor

With the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics now mourning the death of Pope Francis, here is what will happen in the coming days.

News of the 88-year-old’s passing was announced earlier today, two months after he was admitted to hospital with an infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs and then kidney failure.

There will now be nine days of official mourning, but the historic process of the conclave – where cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to choose who will be the next pope – will not begin for at least 15 days from today.

The Vatican Chamberlain, currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, will first certify officially that Francis is dead by calling his name three times at his bedside.

The Pope’s office and private apartments will be sealed and the papal fisherman’s ring removed from his finger and broken with a hammer.

The body of the Pope will then be dressed in red robes with a white mitre on his head, and he will be taken to St Peter’s Basilica, where he will lie in state for three days.

His funeral will take place within six days, and then – in contrast to most of his predecessors – Francis be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome’s Esquilino neighbourhood, rather than in the grottoes beneath St Peter’s.

Pope Francis’s death came just a day after he delighted the crowds of worshippers at the Vatican on Easter Sunday with an appearance on the balcony at Saint Peter’s Basilica despite still convalescing after a severe illness.

Francis had come close to dying twice earlier this year while suffering from pneumonia.

He spent 38 days in hospital before he was released on March 23.

On Sunday he wished the crowds on St Peter’s Square a ‘Happy Easter’ as he waved and in his traditional ‘Urbi et Orbi’ (‘To the City and the World’) benediction he called for freedom of thought and tolerance.

Here are some pictures from yesterday’s event in St Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis died on Monday aged 88, a day after making a much hoped-for appearance at Saint Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said in a statement.

Here is the statement in full:

Dearest brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” said Cardinal Kevin Farrell in the statement published by the Vatican on its Telegram channel.

This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His church.

Pope Francis has died aged 88, the Vatican announced today.

The Pontiff spent his final weeks in hospital with an infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs.

The Conclave – where cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to choose a successor – will not happen for at least 15 days.

Francis’s body will lie in state in St Peter’s Basilica during an official mourning period, and then – in contrast to most of his predecessors – he will be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome’s Esquilino neighbourhood.

Read our breaking news story here:

Good morning and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage as the Vatican announces the death of Pope Francis.

Vatican camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced:

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.

Stick with us for live coverage and reaction throughout the day.