Who could be the next Pope and when will they be elected? - live updates as Vatican prepare for life after Francis

The Vatican is contiguous making preparations for the adjacent pontiff pursuing the decease of Pope Francis astatine the property of 88.

There volition present beryllium 9 days of authoritative mourning, but the historical process of the conclave - wherever cardinals volition stitchery successful the Sistine Chapel astatine the Vatican to take who volition beryllium the adjacent pope - volition not statesman for astatine slightest 15 days from today.

After Francis became the archetypal Latin American Pope successful 2013, the satellite present waits to spot who volition win him with respective contenders said to beryllium successful the frame.

Here's our video explainer pursuing the quality this greeting that Francis has died astatine the property of 88.

For much Pope Francis stories sojourn MailOnline:

Thousands person gathered successful Vatican City to recite the rosary supplication pursuing the pontiff's 'peaceful' decease earlier today.

Cardinal Mauro Gambetti was 1 of the archetypal to code crowds astatine astir 6.30pm.

There are conscionable a fistful of Catholic cardinals crossed the UK and Ireland, immoderate of whom are expected to formed a ballot for the adjacent pope.

Technically, immoderate baptised Catholic antheral is eligible to go the adjacent pontiff, but for centuries lone cardinals person been chosen.

In the UK and Ireland, determination are presently 5 cardinals.

Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe was said to beryllium 'hot-footing to Rome' connected Monday, pursuing a property league successful London.

Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols, from Liverpool, and the person of Catholics successful England and Wales, was expected to beryllium travelling to Rome connected Tuesday.

Both aged 79, the brace are conscionable beneath the cut-off for voting arsenic portion of the conclave - the concealed gathering astatine which a caller pope volition beryllium elected.

Cardinal Radcliffe and Cardinal Nichols, however, appeared to regularisation themselves retired of the running.

Cardinal Nichols told reporters connected Monday helium was 'too old, not capable', portion Cardinal Radcliffe said helium believed the Holy Spirit was "'far excessively omniscient to adjacent deliberation of maine (as pope) for the shortest moment'.

Aged 75, Cardinal Arthur Roche, from West Yorkshire, is the youngest of the UK and Ireland's cardinals.

He is based successful Rome and has been a cardinal advisor to Pope Francis successful caller years.

Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald, from Birmingham, volition crook 88 successful August, meaning helium volition beryllium incapable to ballot for a caller pope.

Cardinal Sean Brady, Ireland's lone Catholic cardinal, volition crook 86 this summertime and truthful is besides incapable to ballot owed to his age.

Scotland presently has nary Catholic cardinals.

It is not thought that immoderate of the UK oregon Irish cardinals are among the favourites expected to win Pope Francis.

Among the names being speculated upon arsenic imaginable successors are Cardinal Luis Tagle, a 67-year-old from the Philippines who was said to beryllium Francis's prime for the archetypal Asian pope.

Others see Cardinal Peter Erdo, the 72-year-old Archbishop of Budapest; Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the 71-year-old Archbishop of Munich and Freising; and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a 70-year-old Italian who has served arsenic Pope Francis's caput of authorities since 2014.

Pope Francis awoke to his 6am alarm this greeting earlier falling sick an hr later, continent media are reporting.

The pontiff is believed to person died from a 'brain hemorrhage, perchance a stroke, astatine 7.35am, according to Corriere della Serra.

Doctors said that the person of the Catholic Church 'passed distant peacefully', with an authoritative origin of decease expected to beryllium released by Vatican officials astatine astir 8pm this evening.

The Pope's decease came conscionable hours aft helium made an Easter Sunday quality astatine the Vatican wherever helium greeted thousands of Catholics.

For astir 50 minutes, the pontiff's conveyance dilatory moved done the masses successful 21C heat, but Italian media present speculate that doctors would person advised against him bathing successful the assemblage arsenic helium was apt immunocompromised.

Francis's assemblage volition present prevarication successful authorities successful St Peter's Basilica for 3 days earlier his eventual burial successful the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore successful Rome.

The European Commission has announced it volition beryllium lowering its EU flags, conscionable arsenic America has, successful representation of the pontiff.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU commission, said: 'He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and emotion truthful axenic for the little fortunate.

'My thoughts are with each who consciousness this profound loss.

'May they find solace successful the thought that Pope Francis’ bequest volition proceed to usher america each toward a much just, peaceful and compassionate world.'

Former Italian goalkeeper and skipper Gianluigi Buffon has paid tribute to the precocious Pope Francis with a station connected societal media.

Captioning a photograph of the brace together, Buffon wrote...

President Trump has made his archetypal comments since the decease of Pope Franics past night, aged 88.

In a code astatine the yearly White House Easter Egg Roll lawsuit this afternoon, Trump said: 'I person conscionable signed a authorities bid putting each of our country's national and signifier flags astatine half-mast successful honour of Pope Francis.

'He was a bully man, helium worked hard and helium loved the satellite - it's an honour to bash that.'

While the Catholic Church's highest authorities volition soon stitchery to elite his successor, the Vatican presently has a much pressing priority.

With the upwind successful Rome remaining lukewarm and humid, the Pope's assemblage volition request to beryllium embalmed to forestall the accelerated onset of decay.

Although the details of this process person historically varied from Pope to Pope, Pope Francis' assemblage volition apt beryllium drained of humor and flooded with preservative chemicals.

Veins volition beryllium opened successful the Pope's cervix and a substance apt containing dyes, alcohol, water, and formaldehyde volition beryllium pumped in.

Just similar a humor transfusion, this preservative substance volition lavation done the circulatory strategy and propulsion retired the congealed humor which would pb to decay.

Pope Francis received Thomas Bach astatine the Vatican successful January this year

Pope Francis inspired International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach to make the Olympic exile team, the German said successful a tribute.

Bach, the astir almighty idiosyncratic successful sport, said the IOC had mislaid 'a large person and supporter'.

However, it was his enactment for refugees which had near the top mark.

In a statement, helium said:

Bach, who steps down successful June and volition beryllium succeeded by Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry, was grateful for Pope Francis' enactment passim his 12-year papacy.

He added:

Argentina's President Javier Milei is reportedly travelling to Rome pursuing the decease of his compatriot Pope Francis.

Argentine media accidental Milei is heading to the Italian superior and should get connected Wednesday.

Admitting to person erstwhile 'differences' with Francis, whom helium called an 'imbecile' during the 2023 statesmanlike race, Mr Milei sent his condolences and suggested the men had made up.

Earlier helium tweeted:

US President Donald Trump issued a proclamation Monday ordering US flags to beryllium flown astatine half-staff to honour Pope Francis aft the Argentine pontiff's decease aged 88.

Trump ordered that the emblem beryllium lowered astatine the White House and nationalist and subject properties, arsenic good arsenic connected naval vessels and overseas diplomatic missions, 'as a people of respect for the representation of His Holiness Pope Francis.'

King Charles and Queen Camilla had a 'very important and special' concealed gathering with Pope Francis, little than a fortnight earlier helium died.

The couple's historical authorities sojourn to the Vatican earlier this period was cancelled due to the fact that of the Pope's mediocre health, but the brace managed to conscionable the caput of the Roman Catholic Church privately during their travel to Italy.

The Vatican subsequently released a striking representation of Charles and Camilla shaking hands with the ailing pontiff.

The King contiguous spoke of his and the Queen's 'deep sadness' implicit the decease of the Pope, but recalled with fondness their astir caller meeting.

Watch our videos for imaginable contenders to win Pope Francis successful the Vatican with an predetermination apt to instrumentality spot successful May.

Christians successful Gaza be the Easter Mass successful the war-torn city

Members of Gaza's tiny Christian assemblage said they were 'heartbroken' connected Monday astatine the decease of Pope Francis, who campaigned for bid for the devastated enclave and spoke to them connected the telephone each evening passim the war.

Across the wider Middle East, Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrian Christians, some Catholic and Orthodox, praised Francis' changeless engagement with them arsenic a root of solace astatine a clip erstwhile their communities faced wars, disasters, hardship and persecution.

George Antone, 44, caput of the exigency committee astatine the Holy Family Church successful Gaza, told Reuters:

Francis called the religion hours aft the warfare successful Gaza began successful October 2023, Antone said, the commencement of what the Vatican News Service would picture arsenic a nightly regular passim the war. He would marque definite to talk not lone to the clergyman but to everyone other successful the room, Antone said.

He added:

The conflict to win Pope Francis is 1 for the precise psyche of the Catholic Church and its implicit a cardinal followers astir the world.

Whoever becomes the 267th Pope volition dictate the absorption of the Church for the adjacent decennary oregon much connected the astir pressing, and contentious, issues facing society.

Pope Francis broke with the blimpish stance of his 2 predecessors, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, and his papacy volition beryllium remembered for his liberalism connected LGBTQ+ rights, his enactment for refugees, and his absorption connected clime change.

In caller years Francis has done a large woody to signifier the constitution of the past and secretive radical that volition name his successor, with astir 80 per cent of the 138 Cardinals eligible to ballot having been appointed by him, meaning determination is simply a bully accidental the adjacent Pope volition beryllium idiosyncratic loyal to Francis who takes a wide attack to the Papacy.

However this is acold from definite arsenic erstwhile the College of Cardinals convenes for the 'highly political' process known arsenic the conclave, each bets could beryllium off.

While it whitethorn travel down to a conflict betwixt blimpish and wide factions, determination is surely nary unified artifact and galore of the Cardinals appointed by Francis travel from a wide scope of countries that person starkly antithetic views connected issues specified arsenic the relation of women successful the Church and attitudes towards cheery Catholics. Relationships and personalities volition besides beryllium astatine play.

Pope Francis's favourite shot squad has paid tribute to him connected societal media pursuing his death.

San Lorenzo, who play successful Argentina's Primera Division, said Francis 'always transmitted his passion' for the nine from supporting them arsenic a kid close up until helium was Pope.

In a statement, the nine referred to Francis arsenic a 'Cuervo', the Spanish connection for 'crow' and 1 of 2 nicknames for San Lorenzo on with cición, meaning 'cyclone'.

The nine said:

The adjacent pope indispensable beryllium idiosyncratic 'of large interior strength' and 'inner peace', the person of Catholics successful England and Wales has said.

Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols was asked astir the qualities of a caller pontiff, astatine a property league successful London connected Monday.

He told reporters:

The Tour of the Alps rhythm contention did get nether mode aft a minute's silence

The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) has called for each sporting events owed to instrumentality spot successful Italy contiguous to beryllium postponed pursuing the decease of Pope Francis.

They besides suggested a minute's soundlessness to beryllium observed astatine events 'throughout the week'.

'We invited nationalist federations and each organisers of sporting events to suspend their competitions connected Monday,' work the CONI statement.

Cycling contention the Tour of the Alps, a cardinal lead-up contention to the Giro d'Italia, did get nether mode aft observing a minute's silence.

Four Serie A matches scheduled to instrumentality spot had already been postponed, with the league saying they would instrumentality spot connected Wednesday astatine 6:30 p.m. section clip (1630 GMT).

Udinese's crippled astatine Torino, Fiorentina's sojourn to Cagliari, Genoa's lucifer against Lazio and Juventus' travel to Parma volition present decorativeness soon earlier Inter Milan's Italian Cup semi-final 2nd limb against AC Milan kicks off.

Serie A besides postponed matches successful its younker league.

Many celebrities person besides paid tribute to Pope Francis alongside satellite leaders. Let's instrumentality a look astatine the A-listers who person expressed their condolences.

Known for her relation successful 1992 drama philharmonic Sister Act, Goldberg the Pope doubly successful 12 months, archetypal successful 2023 and past arsenic 1 of a radical of 100 of the world's astir celebrated comedians who congregated astatine an lawsuit organised by the Vatican successful Rome successful 2024.

Spanish histrion Banderas, 64, shared a photograph of himself with the Pope and wrote:

The Desperate Housewives prima besides met the pope successful 2016 and paid tribute.

People commune astatine Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral pursuing the Pope's death

Mourners astatine Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral person paid tribute to Pope Francis.

Inside the cathedral, immoderate signed a publication of condolences near adjacent to photograph of the precocious Pope.

A peculiar wide volition instrumentality spot astatine 7pm connected Tuesday.

Lillian Norris, 66, from Amersham, successful Bucks, said the Pope had lived a 'significant and bully life'.

Gina Dougan, 65, said she came to the cathedral with her younger sister Julie to commune and constitute a connection successful the publication of condolences.

James Brennan, 59, was visiting Liverpool from York with his woman Jo.

Neil Devaney, 47, from Liverpool, said helium retained his Catholic religion but didn’t be religion regularly.

St. Peter's Basilica successful Rome

Pope Francis's decease volition people a important interruption from accepted papal funerals - including however helium volition go the archetypal pontiff to beryllium buried extracurricular of the Vatican successful much than a century.

Although a papal ceremonial has traditionally been an elaborate affair, Pope Francis made the determination up of his decease to o.k. plans to marque it little complex.

While erstwhile pontiffs, including the precocious Pope Benedict, person been buried successful the accepted triple coffins made of cypress, pb and oak, Francis alternatively chose a elemental woody coffin lined with zinc.

The contented of the Pope's assemblage being placed connected a catafalque wrong St Peter's Basilica for the satellite to wage its respects has besides been scrapped.

Francis' assemblage volition alternatively stay wrong the coffin, with the lid removed, with mourners invited to wage their respects.

The precocious pontiff volition besides go the archetypal Pope successful much than a period to beryllium buried extracurricular the Vatican.

He volition alternatively beryllium laid to remainder successful the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore successful Rome's Esquilino neighbourhood, alternatively than successful the grottoes beneath St Peter's, which houses the tombs of astir 90 popes.

The past Pope to beryllium buried extracurricular St Peter's was Leo XIII (1878-1903) who was interred successful the Basilica of St John Lateran, which is the religion for the Bishop of Rome.

The Vatican's website has been updated pursuing the decease of Pope Francis.

The connection connected the location leafage present reads: 'Sede Apostolica Vacante', which, successful Latin, means the spot is vacant.

We reported earlier however the Vatican has started immoderate rituals successful mentation for beingness aft Francis.

His assemblage is expected to beryllium transferred to the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta edifice wherever helium lived, truthful that Vatican officials tin wage their last respects.

Unsure astir what happens adjacent pursuing the decease of Pope Francis.

MailOnline's Tiktok squad acceptable retired erstwhile Francis's ceremonial volition beryllium held and erstwhile his successor successful the Vatican volition beryllium elected.

See our video explainer below:

Pope Francis spent his last time celebrating Easter Sunday with Catholic faithful successful St Peter's Square.

An adjutant to the 88-year-old pontiff delivered his 'Urbi et Orbi' benediction from a balcony overlooking the quadrate pursuing wide to people the holiday.

Images showed Francis successful accepted achromatic robes connected the cardinal lodge of St Peter's Basilica arsenic helium waved to the anxious crowds.

Here are immoderate of our favourite photos from Easter Sunday:

Former US president Barack Obama has described Pope Francis arsenic a 'rare leader' who made radical privation to amended themselves.

Sharing a representation to X of the brace smiling arsenic they shook hands successful the White House's Oval Office successful 2015, Mr Obama said:

Italian media are reporting a imaginable origin of Pope Francis's decease up of an expected authoritative announcement tonight.

Francis died owed to a 'cerebral hemorrhage', perchance a stroke, which is said to beryllium unrelated to the respiratory problems and pneumonia helium suffered successful February, outlets La Repubblica and La Stampa claim.

His doctors said that helium 'passed distant peacefully', according to reports.

The authoritative origin of decease volition beryllium announced this evening astatine 8pm, according to the Holy See property office.

They had travel from astir the satellite and crammed into St Peter's Square to perceive the pope present an entreaty for bid connected Easter. A time later, helium was dead.

Tourists and pilgrims who flocked to Rome for Holy Week were dazed with daze astatine quality of the decease of Francis, the greeting aft helium had driven successful his open-topped pope mobile done crowds cheering "viva il papa!" connected Christianity's holiest day.

Father Bachai, a retired clergyman from the United States who had travel to Rome for Holy Week, compared the symptom of learning of the pope's abrupt decease to a bruise.

Sue Rak, visiting Rome from Ghana with her hubby and child, said she believed Francis 'wanted to conscionable God'.

Emanuela Tinari, who is from Rome and was with her fellow Gianmarco Omiccioli, added

Frank Lavis Tourneta, was visiting from the French land of Corsica, said:

President Donald Trump and his White House predecessor Joe Biden led the mode successful paying respects from the United States for Pope Francis, who died Monday astatine 88.

Trump, who has had a sometimes thorny narration with the Vatican, issued a abbreviated station connected his Truth Social platform, saying:

Biden, who was lone the 2nd Roman Catholic to service arsenic US president, hailed the precocious pope arsenic 'unlike immoderate who came earlier him.'

'Pope Francis volition beryllium remembered arsenic 1 of the astir consequential leaders of our clip and I americium amended for having known him,' Biden wrote connected X alongside a representation of him and the Pope.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, besides a Catholic, said helium was 'saddened' and added 'we unite successful supplication with Catholics worldwide for the repose of the pontiff's psyche and for this play of modulation for the Catholic Church.'

For 38 days, Pope Francis received attraction astatine Rome's Gemelli Hospital arsenic his wellness struggles were played retired successful beforehand of the world.

Francis spent overmuch of his past fewer weeks successful infirmary having archetypal been admitted connected February 14 with bronchitis and a flimsy fever. This would aboriginal beryllium recovered to beryllium a polymicrobial — meaning aggregate types of virus, bacteria oregon fungi — infection.

Here's a timeline of his clip successful hospital:

Pope Francis is hospitalized with bronchitis and a flimsy fever instantly pursuing a greeting of audiences. Doctors diagnose respiratory tract infection. Two consequent events successful the pursuing days are canceled, and a cardinal is slotted successful for the pope to observe a Sunday Jubilee Mass.

Pope Francis is diagnosed with polymicrobial (bacterial, viral and fungal) corruption successful the respiratory passages, marking a setback. Treatment adjusted. Wednesday wide assemblage canceled.

Chest scan indicates Pope Francis has developed pneumonia successful some lungs, marking different setback. Cortisone and antibiotic treatments are confirmed. Jubilee assemblage connected Saturday is canceled.

Pope's doctors accidental astatine a quality league that the pope remains successful captious information and isn't retired of danger, but that his information isn't imminently life-threatening. Doctors accidental the pope has developed steroid-induced diabetes that is being treated. Warn of sepsis risk. Prognosis is guarded.

Pope successful captious information aft experiencing a respiratory situation and requires high-pressure oxygen done nasal tubes, successful the archetypal notation of assisted breathing. Francis besides receives 2 humor transfusions aft tests amusement signs of anemia and debased platelet number that aboriginal are resolved. Setback.

Doctors study that the pope has gone into onset of flimsy kidney failure, successful a setback. No repetition of the respiratory crisis, but helium remains successful captious condition.

Condition unchangeable aft respiratory crisis. Pope alternates noninvasive mechanic ventilation disguise with agelong periods of nasal conduit with precocious flows of supplemental oxygen.

Pope Francis continues to gradually amended and remains successful a 'stable' information successful Rome's Gemelli Hospital, according to the Holy See Press Office connected Sunday evening.

The pontiff is experiencing 'gradual improvments,' with the Holy Sea confirming that the Pope is inactive undergoing high-flow oxygen therapy successful the time successful bid to progressively trim the request for non-invasive mechanical ventilation during the night.

Pope Francis leaves hospital

He was erstwhile a small lad who wanted to beryllium a lorry operator and received his calling to the priesthood portion watching his beloved Liverpool FC from the Kop astatine Anfield.

But present Britain’s apical Catholic is said to basal an extracurricular accidental of succeeding Pope Francis – and becoming the archetypal English Pontiff since the 12th century.

Liverpool-born Cardinal Vincent Nichols has been Archbishop of Westminster and caput of the Catholic Church successful England and Wales since 2009. He was made a Cardinal successful 2014.

The clergyman, 79, was ordained implicit 55 years agone and primitively served successful his location metropolis earlier becoming Archbishop of Birmingham successful 2000, anterior to being fixed the UK's apical job.

In much caller years, Pope Francis appointed him to wider roles including being president of the Santa Marta group, an confederation of Catholic bishops and constabulary chiefs astir the world, launched successful 2014.

From crying babies to escaping hats, Pope Francis was unafraid to amusement his light-hearted broadside during his 12 years successful the Vatican.

Watch his funniest moments below:

We've reported plentifulness of absorption from the Royal Family and the UK's governmental leaders but the absorption to the decease of Pope Francis has seen satellite leaders explicit their condolences.

The Vatican is preparing the archetypal rituals pursuing Francis' death.

The assemblage of the pope is expected to beryllium transferred wrong the people of the time to the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta edifice wherever helium lived, truthful that Vatican officials tin wage their last respects.

There, the caput of the Vatican wellness work examines the body, ascertains the origin of decease and writes a study which is expected precocious Monday.

The assemblage rests successful the pope's idiosyncratic chapel for the ritual pronouncement of death, presided implicit by the camerlengo, the Vatican authoritative who runs the Holy See medication betwixt the decease oregon resignation of 1 pope and the predetermination of another.

For the public, the cardinal archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, is expected to pb a recitation of the Rosary supplication successful St. Peter's Square aboriginal connected Monday.

The Vatican has suspended owed to Pope Francis' decease a planned ceremonial for the Catholic Church to proclaim the archetypal saint from the millennial generation, it said successful a connection connected Monday.

Read much here:

Cathedral unit acceptable up an representation of Pope Francis wrong Westminster Cathedral

Churchgoers commune silently pursuing the Pope's death

A wide volition beryllium held astatine the cathedral aboriginal connected Monday

Churchgoers astatine Westminster Cathedral successful cardinal London person paid tribute to the precocious Pope astatine their Easter Monday service.

Father Patrick van der Vorst, who led the service, said it was 'symbolic that helium died connected Easter Monday'.

'He was ever determination to service the poor', helium added.

Barbara Keeley, the Labour adjacent and erstwhile frontbench MP, told the PA quality bureau aft the mass:

Parishioner Patrick Somerville, 87, from Westminster, said:

A wide volition beryllium held astatine Westminster Cathedral successful London astatine 5.30pm connected Monday.

Zelensky and Francis astatine the Vatican successful 2024

Putin besides received an assemblage successful 2019 during a sojourn to Italy

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky person joined satellite leaders successful paying tribute to Pope Francis.

The 2 countries whitethorn beryllium astatine warfare pursuing Russia's penetration of Ukraine successful 2022 but their opposing presidents person some paid tribute to the 88-year-old pontiff.

Zelensky says his state grieves unneurotic with Catholics and each Christians who looked to Francis for spiritual support.

'He knew however to springiness hope, easiness suffering done prayer, and foster unity. He prayed for bid successful Ukraine and for Ukrainians. Eternal memory!' Zelensky wrote connected X.

In a missive of condolences,Putin noted the pope's planetary clout arsenic a 'consistent defender of the precocious values of humanism and justice.'

Putin said that the pope 'actively encouraged the improvement of a dialog betwixt the Russian Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Churches, arsenic good arsenic constructive enactment betwixt Russia and the Holy See.'

Catholic worshippers successful St Peter's Square person been giving their absorption pursuing the decease of Pope Francis, with 1 describing however it was 'almost a miracle' helium made it to Easter Sunday.

The 88-year-old spent 38 days successful infirmary earlier this twelvemonth aft a respiratory unwellness developed into treble pneumonia. He near infirmary past period but had his commitments scaled down up of Easter celebrations.

Sister Monica Gonzales, who was visiting from Mexico, called Francis' decease 'a large nonaccomplishment for the religion and for the full world. A pope who worked truthful hard for peace, and for the bully of all. Let's each commune for him.'

Eva Bonnano, from Philadelphia, called it 'a precise bittersweet day. It is honestly impressive, I think, that helium made it to Easter, I deliberation that is astir similar a occurrence for Italy.'

Johann Xavier said helium had traveled from Australia, hoping to spot the pope during his visit. 'But past we heard astir it erstwhile we came successful here. It beauteous overmuch devastated each of us. It is truly sad,' helium said.

Pope Francis wished a 'Happy Easter to everyone' successful his last poignant enactment of devotion that saw him heavy supported by his aides.

Francis, who died contiguous aged 88, delighted the assemblage of 35,000 faithful astatine the Vatican connected Easter Sunday with an quality connected the balcony astatine Saint Peter's Basilica.

But the pontiff, appearing weary and fatigued, needed assistance from his aides portion helium sat connected the balcony and watched Easter blessing was work aloud by a elder cardinal.

Aides were seen adjusting his papal robes and helping Francis portion h2o done a straw arsenic the blessing was delivered.

He didn't observe the Easter Mass successful the piazza yesterday and alternatively delegated it to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica.

Francis near infirmary nether 'protected discharge' connected March 23 aft suffering an corruption that developed into pneumonia successful some lungs earlier this year.

Raising his near manus towards a crying boy, this is the infinitesimal Pope Francis gave his past nationalist blessing arsenic helium drove done St Peter's Square for the past time.

Footage of the little speech yesterday is present profoundly poignant pursuing the pontiff's decease contiguous astatine the property of 88.

Francis blessed 4 tiny babies and 2 older children during the circuit successful his popemobile done cheering crowds gathered to observe Easter Sunday, with the youngsters passed up to him by members of his information detail.

The outing was the longest clip helium had spent successful nationalist since spending 5 weeks successful infirmary being treated for treble pneumonia.

Earlier helium had appeared connected the Vatican balcony and told crowds, 'Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter', earlier an adjutant work the remainder of his yearly Urbi et Orbi blessing and speech, which called for an extremity to wars successful Ukraine and Gaza.

An Irish-born cardinal announced to the satellite that Pope Francis had died.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, 77, confirmed that the caput of the Catholic Church had died connected Easter Monday aft bouts of sick wellness including pneumonia.

Cardinal Farrell is camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, a cardinal relation during 'sede vacante', the play erstwhile the Church is without a pope.

Kevin Joseph Farrell was calved connected September 2 1947 successful Dublin and lived connected Galtymore Park successful Drimnagh, Dublin.

After finishing superior and secondary school, helium attended the University of Salamanca successful Spain and the Pontifical Gregorian University successful Rome, earlier being ordained arsenic a clergyman connected December 24 1978.

In August 2016, Pope Francis called him to service successful the Roman Curia, arsenic prefect of the caller Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life.

Father Michael Collins, who has authored books astir Pope Francis, said that arsenic camerlengo, Cardinal Farrell had the relation of verifying the Pope's death.

Speaking to RTE Radio, helium said:

The assemblage of Pope John Paul II lies successful authorities wrong St. Peter's Basilica successful 2005

The days pursuing the decease of Pope Francis are packed with centuries-old traditions and rituals - including his ceremonial and the nationalist accumulation of his body.

Francis's assemblage is acceptable to beryllium moved into St Peter's Basilica astatine the Vatican aboriginal this week, wherever helium volition prevarication successful authorities for 3 days earlier his funeral.

No day has been announced for erstwhile this volition happen. However, erstwhile Pope Benedict died connected December 31, 2022, his remains were moved to St Peter's 3 days later.

Hundreds of thousands of mourners are expected to sojourn the Francis' embalmed assemblage to wage their respects to the beloved person of the Catholic church.

The assemblage of the precocious pontiff volition past beryllium dressed successful reddish robes with a achromatic mitre connected his head, and helium volition beryllium taken to St Peter's Basilica, wherever helium volition prevarication successful authorities for 3 days.

His ceremonial volition instrumentality spot wrong six days. A day for the ceremonial has yet to beryllium announced.

Traditionally, papal funerals are an elaborate affair, but earlier his decease Pope Francis sought to simplify the ceremony. Unlike his predecessors, the Pope said helium did not privation to beryllium buried successful the grottoes beneath St Peter's Basilica astatine the Vatican.

A subordinate of the Royal Family is expected to be the Pope's funeral, if the Vatican is successful agreement, according to a royal source.

Francis is apt to beryllium buried successful the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore successful Rome's Esquilino neighbourhood, alternatively than successful the grottoes beneath St Peter's, successful the adjacent 9 days pursuing an authoritative mourning period.

It is excessively aboriginal to accidental which subordinate of the Royals volition question to Italy to wage their last respects.

Meanwhile, the Union emblem volition beryllium flown fractional mast astatine royal residences wherever the King is not successful residence.

Sombre euphony volition besides played astatine the Changing the Guard ceremonial to bespeak the sadness of the occasion.

Here are the latest pictures we tin bring you from the Vatican wherever crowds are starting to physique successful St Peter's Square successful effect to the Pope's death.

Visitors person been pictured praying, portion immoderate pilgrims person carried a woody transverse to the residence of Pope Francis who died earlier today.

We volition proceed to bring you the latest updates from the Vatican arsenic tributes determination successful from crossed the world.

After the decease of Pope Francis astatine the property of 88, the satellite is waiting to spot who volition win him, arsenic the Cardinals stitchery successful Rome for the Papal Conclave.

He was the archetypal Latin American Pope, truthful did that awesome a wider alteration wrong the Catholic Church and volition we present spot the archetypal achromatic oregon Asian Pope? Here are the apical contenders to go the adjacent Supreme Pontiff.

The erstwhile Bishop of the Cape Coast, would beryllium the archetypal achromatic Pope and would person the entreaty of reaching retired to Africa. Born successful Ghana, helium was sent by Pope Francis arsenic a bid envoy to South Sudan. He occupies the mediate crushed connected the tricky taxable of cheery relationships, arguing that laws successful galore African countries are excessively harsh but that the views of Africans connected the taxable indispensable beryllium respected. Turkson was the bookies' favourite astatine 1 constituent during the 2013 conclave, erstwhile Francis was chosen.

Tagle, the erstwhile Archbishop of Manila, has emerged arsenic the frontrunner successful the betting markets. He would person the entreaty of being the archetypal Asian Pope, the portion with the fastest-growing Catholic population. He has opposed termination rights successful the Philippines but would beryllium considered 1 of the much wide candidates. He has complained that the Catholic religion has been excessively harsh towards cheery and divorced couples, and that this has hampered its evangelical work.

He is the closest to a 'continuity candidate', having worked with Pope Francis arsenic Cardinal Secretary of State. He is seen arsenic a moderate, though not arsenic adjacent to the wide helping arsenic Francis has sometimes appeared to be. When Ireland voted successful 2015 to legalise aforesaid enactment marriage, Parolin described it arsenic 'a decision for humanity'. In caller times, Parolin's prima has fallen a small acknowledgment to his being the designer of the 2018 statement betwixt the Holy See and China, which immoderate respect arsenic a sell-out to the Chinese Communist Party.

The Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest would beryllium the 2nd Pope, aft John Paul II, to person administered successful the erstwhile Soviet bloc, erstwhile religion leaders were often persecuted. He campaigned for his predecessor Jozsef Minszenty to beryllium exonerated aft being arrested for opposing Hungary's communist regime. Erdo is simply a heavy blimpish who has spoken against divorced oregon remarried Catholics receiving beatified communion.

Not to beryllium confused with the US shot subordinate of the aforesaid name, and usually carries the suffix 'de Mendonca' to separate himself. Hailing from Cristiano Ronaldo's commencement spot of Madeira, Portugal, helium has served arsenic an Archbishop arsenic good arsenic held down a fig of Vatican roles. As the – comparative – younker candidate, helium has advocated that biblical scholars prosecute with the modern satellite by watching films and listening to music.

The main governmental leaders successful Britain person each paid tribute to Pope Francis pursuing his death.

Let's work their statements issued this morning:

Sir Keir Starmer has expressed his condolences pursuing the decease of Pope Francis , who helium said was a pope for the poor, downtrodden and forgotten.

The Prime Minister released a lengthy connection connected X arsenic satellite leaders sent their tributes and messages to the Vatican pursuing the 88-year-old's death.

King Charles, past the Prince of Wales, pictured with Francis successful 2017

The King said helium and the Queen person said they were 'greatly moved' to person visited Francis earlier this period arsenic they joined those sending their condolences.

In an authoritative connection released pursuing the quality of Pope Francis’s decease connected Monday, Charles said:

Here are immoderate of our favourite pictures from the beingness and times of Pope Francis who met countless satellite leaders and celebrities and travelled the satellite successful his relation arsenic the caput of the Catholic Church.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio pictured arsenic a kid successful Buenos Aires

Francis appears astatine the model of St Peter's Basilica's balcony aft being elected successful 2013

Francis salutes the assemblage arsenic helium arrives for his assemblage successful St Peter's Square successful 2013

Pope Francis greets Argentinian erstwhile shot prima Diego Maradona successful 2014

Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II conscionable Francis astatine the Vatican successful 2014

U.S. President Barack Obama and archetypal Lady Michelle question from the White House balcony with Pope Francis successful 2015

by Ross Clark

The satellite is astir to witnesser the process of choosing a caller Pope.

Or alternatively not witnesser it, due to the fact that arsenic the Oscar-winning movie Conclave makes clear, the predetermination of a caller Pope is the astir secretive antiauthoritarian process successful the world, conducted by 120 cardinals down closed doors.

In fact, the movie shows it arsenic being much unfastened than it truly is, successful that the President of the College of Cardinals briefs the world's media portion the process is underway.

In existent life, helium would look excommunication for that offence, arsenic would anyone breaking the rules, which besides see not making pacts with different voters.

Read much here:

The White House has this greeting expressed its condolences aft the decease aged 88 of Pope Francis.

'Rest successful Peace, Pope Francis,' the US presidency wrote connected X, accompanied by photos of the pontiff gathering President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance connected abstracted occasions.

The King and Queen had a 'very important and special' gathering with the ailing Pope Francis, who has died astatine the property of 88, conscionable 12 days ago.

The couple's historical authorities sojourn to the Vatican successful aboriginal April was cancelled due to the fact that of the Pope's mediocre health, but the brace managed to sojourn the caput of the Roman Catholic Church privately during their travel to Italy.

Charles and Camilla's gathering with the Pope successful what would beryllium his last weeks was arranged astatine the past infinitesimal and took spot connected their 20th wedding day connected April 9, with the pontiff wanting to personally privation them a blessed anniversary.

A elder Palace authoritative said afterwards:

Sir Tony Blair said Pope Francis was admired 'for his humility, compassion and unwavering committedness to the Christian faith'.

The erstwhile premier minister, who converted to Catholicism aft leaving office, said:

Juventus person had their travel to Parma suspended

Four Serie A matches scheduled to instrumentality spot connected Monday person been postponed to a aboriginal day pursuing the decease of Pope Francis, the Italian apical formation said successful a statement.

Udinese's crippled astatine Torino, Fiorentina's sojourn to Cagliari, Genoa's lucifer against Lazio and Juventus' travel to Parma volition beryllium rescheduled.

The games volition person to acceptable into a congested decorativeness to the season, perchance clashing with the Champions League semi-finals.

The Vatican said Pope Francis, a keen shot instrumentality and protagonist of his hometown nine San Lorenzo, died aged 88 connected Monday.

*This nonfiction is disposable lone to Mail+ subscribers*

by Daniel Johnson

When Jorge Mario Bergoglio was 12, helium developed a crush connected a miss called Amalia. Both sets of parents disapproved of their children forming an attachment truthful young but Jorge went up and projected matrimony anyway, according to Amalia.

She recalled with a laugh: 'He said that if I didn't accidental yes, helium would person to go a priest. Fortunately for him I said no.'

It indispensable number arsenic 1 of the astir momentous rejections successful history, arsenic Bergoglio not lone went connected to beryllium ordained but roseate to go caput of the Roman Catholic church.

Read the afloat obituary here:

Faithful and pilgrims transportation a woody transverse locomotion towards St Peter's quadrate pursuing the decease of Pope Francis successful the Vatican.

Crowds are starting to physique successful the quadrate arsenic the satellite pays tribute to Francis.

Here's the infinitesimal UK broadcasters told meal viewers that Pope Francis had died.

The Vatican confirmed the 88-year-old had died this morning, hours aft helium appeared astatine an Easter Sunday lawsuit successful St Peter's Square.

Watch the footage below:

Britain's astir elder Catholic has called for Pope Francis's bequest of being a dependable for the mediocre and the marginalised to beryllium strengthened pursuing his death.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and Archbishop of Westminster, said:

US Vice President JD Vance has paid tribute to Pope Francis pursuing their gathering successful the Vatican connected Easter Sunday.

The 88-year-old Pontiff and Vance had an awkward speech astatine the Vatican connected Easter Sunday aft Francis slammed the Trump administration's attraction of amerciable migrants.

It came conscionable 1 time aft Vance, an big Catholic convert, appeared to person been snubbed by the Pontiff and forced to conscionable with the Vatican caput of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the overseas minister, Archbishop Peter Gallagher.

Vance wrote connected X:

Read much astir Pope Francis's last gathering here.

We are starting to get the archetypal watercourse of tributes for Pope Francis from crossed the satellite arsenic overseas leaders and authorities nonstop their condolences to the Vatican.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised the deceased Pope Francis connected Monday arsenic 'a antheral of heavy religion and boundless compassion'.

Writing connected X, helium said:

Iranian overseas ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei added:

Scottish First Minister John Swinney described Francis arsenic 'a dependable for peace, tolerance and reconciliation'.

Ireland's premier Michael Martin paid tribute to Pope Francis arsenic an 'exceptional' person who holds "a peculiar spot successful the hearts of Irish people".

People person started gathering successful St Peter's Square pursuing the quality Pope Francis has died this morning.

Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced that Francis died astatine 7:35am section clip (6.35am UK time).

by Harry Howard, History Editor

With the world's 1.3 cardinal Catholics present mourning the decease of Pope Francis, present is what volition hap successful the coming days.

News of the 88-year-old's passing was announced earlier today, 2 months aft helium was admitted to infirmary with an corruption that developed into pneumonia successful some lungs and past kidney failure.

There volition present beryllium 9 days of authoritative mourning, but the historical process of the conclave - wherever cardinals volition stitchery successful the Sistine Chapel astatine the Vatican to take who volition beryllium the adjacent pope - volition not statesman for astatine slightest 15 days from today.

The Vatican Chamberlain, presently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, volition archetypal certify officially that Francis is dormant by calling his sanction 3 times astatine his bedside.

The Pope's bureau and backstage apartments volition beryllium sealed and the papal fisherman's ringing removed from his digit and breached with a hammer.

The assemblage of the Pope volition past beryllium dressed successful reddish robes with a achromatic mitre connected his head, and helium volition beryllium taken to St Peter's Basilica, wherever helium volition prevarication successful authorities for 3 days.

His ceremonial volition instrumentality spot wrong six days, and past - successful opposition to astir of his predecessors - Francis beryllium buried successful the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore successful Rome's Esquilino neighbourhood, alternatively than successful the grottoes beneath St Peter's.

Pope Francis's decease came conscionable a time aft helium delighted the crowds of worshippers astatine the Vatican connected Easter Sunday with an quality connected the balcony astatine Saint Peter's Basilica contempt inactive convalescing aft a terrible illness.

Francis had travel adjacent to dying doubly earlier this twelvemonth portion suffering from pneumonia.

He spent 38 days successful infirmary earlier helium was released connected March 23.

On Sunday helium wished the crowds connected St Peter's Square a 'Happy Easter' arsenic helium waved and successful his accepted 'Urbi et Orbi' ('To the City and the World') benediction helium called for state of thought and tolerance.

Here are immoderate pictures from yesterday's lawsuit successful St Peter's Square.

Pope Francis died connected Monday aged 88, a time aft making a overmuch hoped-for quality astatine Saint Peter's Square connected Easter Sunday, the Vatican said successful a statement.

Here is the connection successful full:

Pope Francis has died aged 88, the Vatican announced today.

The Pontiff spent his last weeks successful infirmary with an corruption that developed into pneumonia successful some lungs.

The Conclave - wherever cardinals stitchery successful the Sistine Chapel astatine the Vatican to take a successor - volition not hap for astatine slightest 15 days.

Francis's assemblage volition prevarication successful authorities successful St Peter's Basilica during an authoritative mourning period, and past - successful opposition to astir of his predecessors - helium volition beryllium buried successful the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore successful Rome's Esquilino neighbourhood.

Read our breaking quality communicative here:

Good greeting and invited to MailOnline's unrecorded sum arsenic the Vatican announces the decease of Pope Francis.

Vatican camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced:

Stick with america for unrecorded sum and absorption passim the day.

Here are immoderate of the latest photographs we tin amusement you from St Peter's Square wherever emotions are moving precocious pursuing the decease of Pope Francis.

Many worshippers person been pictured looking despondent arsenic the Catholic Church faces electing a caller pontiff.

Mass services are expeceted to instrumentality spot successful Catholic cathedrals crossed the globe successful effect to Francis's decease astatine the property of 88.