Announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell in a statement released by the Vatican, he praised the pontiff for a life “dedicated to service” and for his particular attention to “the poorest and most marginalised”.
Just yesterday, on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis – who was 88, and had recently suffered a serious bout of double pneumonia – made his final public appearance, blessing babies and greeting people in St Peter’s Square.
As crowds gather around the Vatican to pay tribute, here are reactions from leaders around the world.
Read more: Latest updates – Vatican pays tribute to a life ‘dedicated to service’
King Charles
In a statement from Buckingham Palace, the King hailed Pope Francis for touching “the lives of so many”.
The King and Queen met the pontiff earlier this month, during a visit to Italy.
He said in the statement: “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.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
One of the first to pay tribute was from Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, who said she was deeply saddened by his death.
She wrote: “I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice and his teachings, which never failed even in moments of trial and suffering.”
Discussing his Via Crucis meditations, she said, “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 went on: “We will walk in this direction, to seek the path of peace, pursue the common good and build a more just and equitable society. 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.”
US Vice-President JD Vance
US vice president JD Vance, who briefly met with Pope Francis on Easter Sunday, wrote on X: “I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.”
Sharing the text of the prayer Pope Francis delivered in March 2020, Mr Vance went on: “I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful.”
Mr Vance added: “May God rest his soul.”
UK leaders past and present
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of the pope’s death, writing on X: “His tireless efforts to promote a world that is fairer for all will leave a lasting legacy. On behalf of the people of the United Kingdom, I share my sincerest condolences to the whole Catholic Church.”
In a longer statement attached to his post, he said he joined millions around the world grieving Pope Francis’s death, going on to praise his leadership in “complex and challenging” times, saying it was “courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility”.
Sir Keir wrote: “Pope Francis was a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten. He was close to the realities of human fragility, meeting Christians around the world facing war, famine, persecution and poverty. Yet he never lost the faith-fuelled hope of a better world.
“That hope was as the heart of his papacy. His determination to visibly live out his faith inspired people across the world to see afresh the church’s teachings of mercy and charity.
“With his death, we are reminded once more of his call to care for one another across different faiths, backgrounds, nations and beliefs.”
Former UK leaders also paid tribute, including Tony Blair, who converted to Catholicism in 2007 after stepping down as prime minister.
Mr Blair wrote on X: “Pope Francis was an extraordinary and devoted servant of the Catholic Church, admired both within and beyond it for his humility, compassion and unwavering commitment to the Christian faith and the service of all humanity – Christian and non-Christian alike. Cherie and I are deeply saddened by his passing. May he rest in peace.”
While Gordon Brown, who succeeded Mr Blair in office, wrote on X: “Great sadness at the death of Pope Francis whose unselfish life of service and moral leadership will always be an inspiration to millions of people.”
Argentina’s President Javier Milei
Pope Francis was born and brought up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the son of Italian immigrants.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei wrote on X: “It is with profound sorrow that I learned this sad morning that Pope Francis, Jorge Bergoglio, passed away today and is now resting in peace.”
“Despite differences that seem minor today, having been able to know him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honor for me.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin paid tribute, with the Kremlin sharing his statement.
Mr Putin said: “Pope Francis enjoyed great international authority as a faithful servant of Christian teaching, a wise religious and statesman, and a consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice.
“Throughout his pontificate, he actively promoted the development of dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, as well as constructive interaction between Russia and the Holy See.
“I had the opportunity to communicate with this outstanding person on many occasions, and I will forever preserve the brightest memories of him.”
Mr Putin also sent a message to Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell offering his condolences.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared pictures of him embracing Pope Francis on X, and said he was “deeply pained” by his loss and offered his “heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community”.
Mr Modi wrote: “Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world.
“From a young age, he devoted himself towards realising the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope.
“I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development.
“His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God’s embrace.”
French President Emmanuel Macron
French President, Emmanuel Macron wrote: “Throughout, his pontificate Pope Francis had always sided with the most vulnerable and the most fragile, and that he did this with a lot of humility. In this time of war and brutality, he had a sense for the other, for the most fragile”.
Germany’s incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz
Germany’s Chancellor-in-Waiting Friedrich Merz said Pope Francis would be remembered for his tireless commitment to society’s weakest members.
He posted on X: “He was guided by humility and faith in God’s mercy.”
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog wrote on X: “A man of deep faith and boundless compassion, he dedicated his life to uplifting the poor and calling for peace in a troubled world.”
Referring to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, he added: “I truly hope that his prayers for peace in the Middle East and for the safe return of the hostages [in Gaza] will soon be answered.”
Head of the Italian Bishops Conference (CEI) Cardinal Matteo Zuppi
Head of the Italian Bishops Conference (CEI) Cardinal Matteo Zuppi called the pope’s death “a painful moment of great suffering for the entire Church”.
In a statement, he asked all churches in Italy to ring their bells in a sign of mourning and for moment of personal and communal prayer.
President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, was taken aback by news of Pope Francis’s death, saying, “Oh my God. I am so shocked by this.”
Speaking early on Monday morning, he went on: “Let us please ring the bells of our churches and call our people to prayer for the eternal repose of the Holy Father Pope Francis who passed on just about ten minutes ago.”
