He came out in a wheelchair and waved from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to cheering crowds and said: “Dear brothers and sisters, happy Easter.”
His traditional Easter address and blessing was read by an aide while he sat, watching.
Following the blessing, he 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.
Vatican announces Pope Francis’s death – statement in full
A short while ago, His Eminence, Cardinal Farrell, announced with sorrow 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.
At 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 was a ‘man of humility’, Macron says
The 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”.
‘A voice for peace with a contagious smile’: World leaders’ tributes
Tributes are pouring in now:
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof says “Pope Francis was in every way a man of the people”
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola says “his contagious smile captured millions of people’s hearts across the globe”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog hails his “boundless compassion”
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter says Pope Francis was a “great spiritual leader, a tireless advocate for peace”
Scottish First Minister John Swinney describes him as “a voice for peace, tolerance and reconciliation”
Pope’s death comes in Catholic jubilee year
The pontiff’s death not only follows the most important calendar event for Catholics, but also falls into the special jubilee year, which comes around every 25 years.
The jubilee kicked off when the Pope opened the usually bricked-up Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica on 24 December, and sees millions of pilgrims descend on the Vatican to pass through the doorway and seek forgiveness for their sins.
Tens of thousands of Catholics had gathered for the Easter Mass in this special year.
Church of England’s acting head pays tribute
Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell – who is the acting head of the Church of England – has reacted to Pope Francis’s death. The paid met in 2023.
“We saw that compellingly in 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 referred 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.”
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Pope Francis’s final message: No peace without freedom of religion, thought and expression
Pope Francis’ Easter Sunday message was one of peace and “respect for the views of others”.
An aide read on his behalf:
There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression.”
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 Ukraine war to “pursue efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace”.
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‘A great man has left us’ – Italy’s PM
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says “this news saddens us deeply”.
“I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship,” she adds in the statement.
Meloni adds “he asked the world, once again, for the courage to change direction, to follow a path that ‘does not destroy, but cultivates, repairs, protects'”.
“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.”
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Pope Francis leaves a profound legacy – Spanish PM
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez hails Pope Francis’s commitment to the “most vulnerable”.
He says in a post on the social media platform X: “I mourn the passing of Pope Francis. His commitment to peace, social justice, and the most vulnerable leaves a profound legacy. Rest in peace.”
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‘A good, warm and sensitive man’ – tributes continue to pour in for Pope Francis
Ursula von der Leyen, chief of the European Commission, says her thoughts are with all who feel this profound loss
We can bring you some more reaction now from leaders around the world:
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 passing of Pope Francis
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk remembers Pope Francis 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”
