Image source, Getty Images

The union flag will be flown at half-mast at royal residences where King Charles is not in residence, to mark the Pope's passing.

Sombre music will be played at the Changing the Guard ceremony to reflect "the sadness of the occasion", a royal source says.

A member of the Royal Family is expected to attend the Pope's funeral, if the Vatican is in agreement, but it is too early to say who will travel to pay their respects.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin remembers Pope Francis as a "defender of the highest values of humanism and justice", the Kremlin says.

It adds that Putin "had the privilege of communication with this outstanding man on many occasions".

The Russian president "will forever retain the fondest memory of him," the Kremlin says.

Image source, Volodymyr Zelensky/X

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has paid tribute to Pope Francis, saying:

Zelensky adds that the late Pope prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians.

"We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians who looked to Pope Francis for spiritual support. Eternal memory!"

Sofia Bettiza
Reporting from the Vatican

The bells are ringing here in St Peter’s Square, announcing the death of Pope Francis.

A crowd of hundreds of thousands of people fell silent - the atmosphere is one of palpable shock and sadness.

We spoke to people from India, South Africa, Denmark and other countries who have gathered here - all have said what they will miss the most about the Pope is his effort to make the Catholic Church more inclusive.

Image source, Reuters

Crowds of people have been gathering in St Peter's Square, in Vatican City, to pay their respects.

Here are some of the latest pictures we've seen as news of the Pope's death spreads:

Image source, Reuters

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We've just heard from the UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

In a post on X, Starmer says he is "deeply saddened to hear of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis".

Starmer continues by saying "his leadership in a complex and challenging time for the world and the Church was courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility".

He was "a Pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten", the prime minister adds.

"On behalf of the people of the United Kingdom, I share my sincerest condolences to the whole Catholic Church."

Daniela Relph
Senior royal correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Following the death of Pope Francis, King Charles has released the following message:

My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis. 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.

His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others. His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world.

Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.

The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month.

We send our most heart-felt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ.

Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Among the last high-profile meetings held by Pope Francis was with King Charles and Queen Camilla, which took place in the Vatican two weeks ago, during their visit to Italy.

It was a private meeting, as their official state visit to the Vatican had been cancelled because of the Pope’s health problems. But Buckingham Palace said it was one of the highlights of the royal couple’s visit to Italy, describing it as a “very significant and special moment”.

There had been speculation during the trip whether a brief meeting would still take place - and it was said to have been finally arranged at the last minute, with the King and Queen going to the Casa Santa Maria where the Pope had been convalescing.

The King and Queen had been celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary that day and Pope Francis gave them his best wishes for their anniversary.

The King and Queen had been praying for the Pope’s recovery - and Pope Francis in turn wished King Charles well with his own health problems, with the King being treated for cancer.

The 20-minute meeting was said by Palace officials to have been a very moving occasion with a great conversation.

But there was no video recording of the event, only stills taken by a Vatican photographer.

King Charles has been a great advocate of building links between different faiths and the planned state visit to the Vatican would have seen symbolic moments such as an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel.

More reaction now from religious leaders around the world.

• Moscow's Patriarchate says Pope Francis played a "significant role in active development of contacts between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church", Russian news agency Tass reports
• The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem says a mass will take place at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre on Wednesday
• The Jesuits in Britain says it is "grateful for the gift of Pope Francis's leadership"

We'll continue to bring you the latest reaction as we get it.

Davide Ghiglione
Reporting from the Vatican

The announcement of the Pope's death this morning triggered a wave of emotion here in Rome.

As I headed to the Vatican, I passed people crying on the street as crowds flocked to St Peter's Square to pay their respects.

The Pope was a beloved figure who could reach people around the world. His messages about the plight of migrants and the poor resonated widely.

He could also talk to anyone about anything. I flew with him a few times on his plane while covering him as a BBC journalist, and can recall a private conversation we once had where he told me about his grandmother.

His death now comes as a huge shock, even though he was in poor health earlier this year. After returning to work in the Vatican, his apparent energy gave many hope.

Image source, Getty Images

"Rest in Peace, Pope Francis," the White House writes in a post on X.

The message is shared alongside two pictures. One of the pontiff meeting US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania, and another from Vice-President JD Vance's visit to the Vatican yesterday.

Image source, Getty Images

The leaders of UK political parties have praised Pope Francis's courage and leadership.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch pays tribute to the pontiff's "humility, courage and conviction".

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey, calls Pope Francis a "leader of compassion and courage".

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says his "sympathies go out to all in the Catholic Church".

Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay praises the Pope's "commitment to addressing both the climate crisis and poverty around the world".

Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan praises the late Pope's "example of compassionate leadership".

Scottish First Minister John Swinney says the Pope "brought comfort, assurance and hope".

We haven't heard from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer or King Charles III yet, but we'll let you know as soon as we do.

Image source, EPA

In the final months of his life, the Pope's ill-health saw him spend several weeks in hospital.

On 14 February, the 88-year-old was taken to the Gemelli hospital in Rome to be treated for pneumonia in both lungs. He had experienced difficulties breathing for several days.

He was discharged from hospital on 23 March.

The pontiff was particularly susceptible to pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs that can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, after undergoing a partial lung removal as a young man.

Image source, Getty Images

US Vice-President JD Vance - who had a brief private meeting with Pope Francis yesterday - says he has just learned of the pontiff's passing.

"My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him," he says.

Vance arrived in Rome on Friday, before meeting with Vatican officials and Pope Francis over the weekend.

Image source, Reuters

Tributes to Pope Francis continue to pour in from world leaders:

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says "he inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate"
• India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he is "deeply pained" by the the Pope's passing
• Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk remembers him as a "good, warm and sensitive man"
• Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi says Pope Francis "was a voice of peace, love and compassion"

Image source, Reuters

Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 17 December 1936.

The eldest of five children, his parents had fled their native Italy to escape the evils of fascism.

He enjoyed tango dancing and became a supporter of his local football club, San Lorenzo.

He was lucky to escape with his life after a serious bout of pneumonia, undergoing an operation to remove part of a lung. It would leave him susceptible to infection throughout his life.

As an elderly man he also suffered from pain in his right knee, which he described as a "physical humiliation".

The young Bergoglio worked as a nightclub bouncer and floor sweeper, before graduating as a chemist.

At a local factory, he worked closely with Esther Ballestrino, who had campaigned against Argentina's military dictatorship. She was tortured, and her body was never found.

He became a Jesuit, studied philosophy and taught literature and psychology. Ordained a decade later, he won swift promotion, becoming the Catholic Church's provincial superior for Argentina in 1973.

Image source, Getty Images

More reaction from world leaders now, as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez hails Pope Francis's commitment to the "most vulnerable".

In a post on the social media platform X, Sanchez writes: "I mourn the passing of Pope Francis. His commitment to peace, social justice, and the most vulnerable leaves a profound legacy. Rest in peace."

Image source, Getty Images

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says "this news saddens us deeply".

"I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship," she says in a statement.

"He asked the world, once again, for the courage to change direction, to follow a path that 'does not destroy, but cultivates, repairs, protects'", she adds.

"His teaching and his legacy will not be lost. We greet the Holy Father with hearts full of sadness, but we know that he is now in the peace of the Lord."

Image source, Reuters

Pope Francis' Easter Sunday message was one of peace and "respect for the views of others".

An aide read on his behalf:

In his final address, the pontiff remembered the people of Gaza, in particular its Christian population, as the conflict "causes death and destruction" and creates a "deplorable humanitarian situation". He also called growing global antisemitism "worrisome".

"What a great thirst for death, for killing we see in the many conflicts raging in different parts of the world," he said.

"I express my closeness to the sufferings... for all the Israeli people and the Palestinian people," the message said. "Call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace."

The Pope also encouraged all parties involved in the war in Ukraine to "pursue efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace".

Image source, Getty Images

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell - who is the acting head of the Church of England - has paid tribute to Pope Francis.

In a statement, the archbishop commends "Francis’s service of the poor, his love of neighbour especially the displaced, migrant, the asylum seeker, his deep compassion for the well-being of the earth and his desire to lead and build the church in new ways."

"Francis showed us how to follow Jesus and encouraged us to go and do likewise... in their humility and focus on those in the margins, those actions, his whole life, was instantly recognisable as those of one who followed Jesus."

Archbishop Cottrell also refers to Pope Francis's work to resolve religious differences, saying he had been "acutely aware of the divisions between our churches and how they stand in the way of seeing Jesus Christ more fully".

And he paid tribute to his character, describing him as a "holy man of God" who was "also very human".

"I remember, in the brief times I spent with him, how this holy man of God was also very human. He was witty, lively, good to be with, and the warmth of his personality and interest in others shone out from him. May he rest in peace and rise in glory," he says.