'Church has lost its father' - London archbishop

Archbishop of Southwark, John Wilson, says the death of Pope Francis came as a shock

The Archbishop of Southwark, John Wilson, has told BBC London that Catholics around the world thought Pope Francis was "over the worst" of his ill health and that "we've got him for a bit longer".

The senior cleric was speaking after the Vatican announced the Pope's death in Rome on Monday morning at the age of 88.

The Archbishop said: "In Italian he is called Papa Francesco. Papa means father, so the Pope is a father to the Catholic Church worldwide.

"So we are a big human family across the world, internationally, that has lost its father."

Pope Francis blesses the faithful from the balcony of the Gemelli hospital, Rome, last month

The Archbishop added the Pope's death "had been a shock".

"We saw Pope Francis yesterday in St Peter's Square [in Rome]. He gave us the Easter blessing as normal, although he said only a few words.

"Somebody read the message out; it was a very beautiful message, and then he did a lap of honour in the Pope-mobile.

"Having been poorly, I think we thought he's over the worst, and although he was 88, we thought he won't live forever, but we've got him for a bit longer.

"So to wake up today has been a real shock to us, I think."

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, 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".

The Cardinal, who is the Archbishop of Westminster, added: "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."

Churchgoers at Westminster Cathedral in central London paid tribute to the late pope at their Easter Monday service.

Father Patrick van der Vorst, who led the service, said it was "symbolic that he died on Easter Monday".

"He was always there to serve the poor," he added.

Parishioner Patrick Somerville, 87, from Westminster, said: "He has had a worldwide impact on all leaders and all peoples.

"I spoke this morning to my newsagent, who told me his mother, who is a Hindu, loved Pope Francis, and I think that says it all.

"He brought love to the whole world in a humble way."