Pope Francis has died aged 88.
Francis, born in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Following his death, some 1.4 billion Catholics around the world now look to the Vatican for a new leader.
GB News will bring you live updates from the Holy See as they come in – as well as reaction from world leaders to the pontiff’s death.
FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY…
Archbishop of Westminster speaks out
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols – the de facto head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales – said: “A voice proclaiming the innate dignity of every human being, especially those who are poor or marginalised, is now silent.”
JD Vance: ‘May God rest his soul’
US Vice President JD Vance, who met the Pope just yesterday, said: “I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis.
“My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill.
“But I’ll always remember him for the homily he gave in the very early days of Covid. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul.”
Kemi Badenoch: ‘In a world that too often turns away from faith, Francis stood firm’
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “Pope Francis spent his final Easter yesterday bearing witness to the faith he devoted his life to – a quiet presence at a time when the world needed humility, courage, and conviction.
“His death on Easter Monday feels especially poignant. He reminded us that leadership isn’t about power, but about service.
“When I met him in 2022, he spoke warmly of the UK and the values we share. In a world that too often turns away from faith, he stood firm. May he rest in peace.”
Polish President Andrzej Duda: Francis was ‘an apostle of mercy’
Polish President Andrzej Duda said following the Pope’s death: “Today Pope Francis went to the Father’s House.
“In his pastoral ministry, he was guided by humility and modesty. He chose as his papal motto the words of his episcopal motto: ‘Miserando atque eligendo’ – ‘He looked with mercy and chose’.
“He was a great apostle of mercy, in which he saw the answer to the challenges of the modern world. My wife and I join in prayer with the faithful of the entire Catholic Church.
“Shine, Lord, on his soul!”
Emmanuel Macron: My thoughts go out to the grieving world
French President Emmanuel Macron, nearly a third of whose country is Catholic, said: “From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest. May it unite people with each other and with nature. May this hope continually revive beyond him. My wife and I send our thoughts to all Catholics and to the grieving world.”
John Swinney: Francis brought hope to many
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney was among the first to issue a statement in response to the Pope’s death.
He said: “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.”
