Pope Francis, champion of the underdog, dies at 88

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis, an energetic reformer who inspired widespread devotion from Catholics but riled traditionalists, died on Monday aged 88, just a day after greeting delighted worshippers after Easter Mass.

The death of the Argentine pontiff, leader of the Catholic Church since March 2013, came less than a month after having been released from hospital following a 38-day battle with double pneumonia.

Some visitors to St Peters Square – where a frail-looking Francis was cheered by Easter Sunday worshippers during an unscheduled appearance just a day earlier – were left in tears at the news.

World leaders paid tribute to his moral and spiritual leadership and countries began preparations to mark his death.

“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,” said the statement, released shortly before 10:00 am. His death sets in motion centuries-old traditions that will culminate in the gathering of a conclave of cardinals to choose a successor.

In the next four to six days the Vatican´s cardinals will decide on the pope´s funeral date, at which point his coffin will be transferred to St Peter´s Basilica.

In the meantime, the day-to-day running of the tiny Vatican City state will be handled by the Camerlengo, a senior cardinal, currently Dublin-born Cardinal Farrell.

Francis´s body will be laid in its coffin in the chapel at the Saint Martha residence where he lived at 8:00 pm, the Vatican said, while the Rosary prayer will be held “in the middle of the day”.

At the Vatican on Monday, a hush seemed to descend on the normally boisterous Saint Peter´s Square as the death knell rang out. “He lived this Easter and then he went,” Cesarina Cireddu from Sardinia said with tears in her eyes.

“He´s actually returned to the Lord -- and godspeed.” Tour groups continued to walk through the sprawling plaza as quiet groups of people leaned against a barricade to pray.

Francis, whose real name was Jorge Bergoglio, was the first Jesuit to lead the world´s almost 1.4 billion Catholics and the first from the Americas. He took over after Benedict XVI became the first pontiff since the Middle Ages to step down -- and cut a sharply different figure from the German theologian.

A football-loving former archbishop of Buenos Aires who was often happiest among his flock, Francis sought to forge a more open and compassionate Church. World leaders praised him for having strongly defended social justice and the rights of migrants.

Britain´s King Charles, who met Francis during a state visit earlier this month, said the pope had “served with such devotion”. Italy´s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said, “A great man has left us” in a statement, while Argentina´s President Javier Milei pointed to his compatriot´s “goodness and wisdom” despite their “differences”.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Francis had “inspired millions... with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate”.

US Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert who briefly met Francis on Sunday while on a trip to Rome with his family, said his “heart goes out” to Christians. The White House wrote “Rest in Peace” on X.

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the pope´s promotion of dialogue between the Orthodox and Catholic churches. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was grieving.

Italy´s Serie, a football league, called off all the day´s matches and the country´s Olympic committee called for all sporting events due to take place there on Monday to be postponed. Spain announced three days of mourning while the bells at the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris rang out 88 times and the city said the lights would be turned off at the Eiffel Tower on Monday evening.

Francis´s pontificate was also marked by pushing through governance reforms and tackling the scourge of clerical sex abuse of children. But critics accused him of creating doctrinal confusion and failing to defend traditional Catholic beliefs on key issues such as abortion and divorce.

He will become the first pope in more than 100 years to be laid to rest outside the Vatican. Francis also rejected the tradition of popes having three coffins, instead choosing to be buried in just one.

Francis, who had part of his lung removed as a young man, had maintained a busy schedule before his latest hospital admission, even hosting the prime minister of Slovakia shortly beforehand.

Even after he was released from hospital and ordered to rest for two months, Francis, known for being stubborn, did not wait long before making public appearances, meeting Britain´s King Charles and visiting a prison.

But he was barely able to speak and delegated the traditional Easter Sunday “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and the World”) benediction to an associate, although he later toured Saint Peter´s Square in his popemobile, greeting worshippers.

Despite a growing number of health problems, he never took a day off and made frequent trips abroad, including a four-nation Asia-Pacific tour only last September. Huge crowds gathered wherever he went, a testament to his popularity and human touch.

Palestinian Christians in Gaza Monday mourned the death of Pope Francis, who had maintained close and consistent video contact with the territory´s small Christian community throughout the ongoing war.

Since the outbreak of fighting between Israel and Hamas, Francis had regularly called Gaza´s Christians, often several times a week, offering prayers, encouragement and solidarity.

Middle Eastern leaders and Arab movements praised Pope Francis for criticising Israel´s offensive on Gaza, his calls for a ceasefire and his commitment to interfaith dialogue.

“We lost a faithful friend of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights,” Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas said, according to the official Wafa news agency. He noted that Francis “recognised the Palestinian state and authorised the Palestinian flag to be raised in the Vatican”.

Bassem Naim, a senior official from Hamas, hailed the pope´s opposition to the 18-month-long war between Israel and Hamas. “Pope Francis was a steadfast advocate for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, particularly in his unwavering stance against the war and acts of genocide perpetrated against our people in Gaza in recent months,” Naim said in a statement.

Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit said Francis´s “voice in condemning Israeli brutality was loud and clear until the very last moment”.

His “compass on the Palestinian issue always pointed in the right direction”, Aboul Gheit added, recalling “his daily communication with the residents of Gaza as they endured brutal Israeli aggression and bombardment”.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian praised Francis´s “condemnation of the genocide committed by the Israeli regime in Gaza”.

Lebanon´s Hezbollah group noted Francis´s “clear positions calling for an end to the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip... and his support for the Palestinian cause”. Egypt´s Grand Imam of Al-Azhar said Francis would be remembered for championing interfaith dialogue.

Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb said his “brother” had “strengthened relations with Al-Azhar and the Islamic world, through his visits to numerous Islamic and Arab countries, and through his views demonstrating fairness and humanity, particularly regarding the aggression on Gaza and combating abhorrent Islamophobia”.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Francis “worked tirelessly to promote tolerance and build bridges of dialogue... and was a champion of the Palestinian cause, defending legitimate rights and calling for an end to conflict”.

King Abdullah II of Jordan said in a statement that Francis “brought people together, leading with kindness, humility, and compassion”. Morocco´s King Mohammed VI paid tribute to Francis´s dedication to “peace, dialogue, tolerance” and religious coexistence.

Lebanon´s Christian President Joseph Aoun called Francis´s death “a loss for all humanity, for he was a powerful voice for justice and peace” who called for “dialogue between religions and cultures”.

The multi-confessional country announced three days of official mourning. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Monday expressed deep grief and sorrow over death of Pope Francis.

In a message, the prime minister said that Pope Francis always guided billions of people to promote peace and love. “Late Pope Francis was a symbol of inter-faith harmony, peace, and humanity,” the prime minister remarked.

The prime minister said under his leadership, the Catholic Church spread the message of affection, tolerance, and mutual respect worldwide.

The message of Pope Francis was a source of inspiration for not only the Christians but for also the followers of all the religions.

“Pope Francis’ recent statement on Easter calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Palestine, and an end to the human rights violation, reflects his peace-loving personality and love for humanity,” the prime minister added.

“On behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, I extend heartfelt condolence and sympathy to the Vatican City, the global Christian Community and his followers from around the world,” the prime minister said.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the death of Pope Francis and paid tribute to him for his commitment to interfaith harmony, compassion, and peaceful coexistence.

The president extended his condolences on behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan to the Vatican and the entire Catholic community on his sad death.

Paying tribute to his services, the president said that Pope Francis would be remembered for his efforts in promoting peace, social justice, inter-faith dialogue, and the well-being of the most vulnerable communities worldwide.

Zardari remarked that Pope Francis was a powerful voice for peace and justice, and his efforts to bring together communities of different faiths and promote mutual understanding would always be remembered.

Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of Pope Francis.

In a message, he paid tribute to the late Pope’s unwavering commitment to interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence. “Pope Francis spread the message of humanity, tolerance and love throughout the world,” said the speaker.