Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died aged 88
He died of stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure, the Vatican says in a statement
Calm descended on St Peter's Square as hundreds gathered in prayer for the late Pope, our reporter at the Vatican writes
The pontiff's death has prompted an outpouring of grief from Catholics across the globe. From South Sudan to Argentina, Poland to the Philippines, the BBC reports from across five continents
The Vatican confirmed the pontiff died at 07:35 local time on Monday; he was recently discharged from hospital after weeks of treatment for an infection
What happens next? We look at the papal funeral and the election of a new pope
Watch: The world reacts to the death of Pope Francis
The BBC's religion editor, Aleem Maqbool, takes us through the life of the late Pope Francis in this short, 90-second video:
Pope Francis: The bouncer who became pontiff
Tributes for Pope Francis are pouring in now:
Image source, EPAThe French president is pictured here meeting the Pope in 2023
French President Emmanuel Macron is among the first world leaders to pay tribute to Pope Francis, calling him a "man of humility, on the side of the most vulnerable and most fragile".
Watch: Pope Francis wishes the faithful a "happy Easter" to applause from Vatican crowds
The Pope's death comes less than 24 hours after he made an appearance at the Vatican's St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday.
He came out in a wheelchair and waved from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to cheering crowds, wishing those gathered a "happy Easter".
Image source, ReutersHis traditional Easter address and blessing was read by an aide while he sat, watching.
Following the blessing, Pope Francis was driven around the square. As he passed through the crowds, his procession paused a number of times as babies were brought over for him to bless.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, AFPSee the latest at the Vatican in our live stream above - press watch live at the top of the page.
A papal funeral has traditionally been an elaborate affair, but Pope Francis recently approved plans to make the whole procedure less complex.
Previous pontiffs were buried in three nested coffins made of cypress, lead and oak.
Pope Francis has opted for a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc.
He has also scrapped the tradition of placing the Pope's body on a raised platform - known as a catafalque - in St Peter's Basilica for public viewing.
Instead, mourners will be invited to pay their respects while his body remains inside the coffin, with the lid removed.
Francis will also be the first Pope in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican.
He will be laid to rest in the Basilica of St Mary Major, one of four major papal basilicas in Rome.
Image source, ReutersFrancis's papacy heralded many firsts and, while he never stopped introducing reforms to the Catholic Church, he remained popular among traditionalists.
He was the first Pope to come from the Americas, or from the southern hemisphere. Not since Syrian-born Gregory III died in 741 had there been a non-European Bishop of Rome.
He was also the first Jesuit to be elected to the throne of St Peter - Jesuits were historically looked on with suspicion by Rome.
Francis's predecessor, Benedict XVI, was the first Pope to retire voluntarily in almost 600 years and for almost a decade the Vatican Gardens hosted two popes.
As Cardinal Bergoglio of Argentina, he was already in his seventies when he became Pope in 2013.
A short while ago, His Eminence, Cardinal Farrell, announced the death of Pope Francis with these words: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis."
Quote MessageAt 7:35 this morning (local time), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church."
"He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised."
Farrell adds: "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 the One and Triune God.”
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, 21 April 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta building.
Follow our coverage by clicking Watch live at the top of this page.
Image source, ReutersPope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican has announced.
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected to lead the Catholic Church in March 2013 after Pope Benedict XVI stood down.
