Pope Francis dies aged 88

Pope Francis has died aged 88, the Vatican says

The Pope, who was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died at 07:35 local time on Easter Monday

World leaders pay tribute to his “contagious smile” and “boundless compassion”, with King Charles saying he “profoundly touched the lives of so many”

His death comes a day after he appeared in St Peter’s Square to wish “Happy Easter” to thousands of worshippers

He was recently discharged from hospital last month after five weeks of treatment for an infection

Francis’s death sets in motion the centuries-old process of electing a new Pope