King Charles III and the White House have been among the thousands paying tribute to Pope Francis following his death aged 88.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936, Francis was the first Pope from South America and served as a bishop in Buenos Aires before becoming the 266th Pope in 2013, after his predecessor Benedict XVI became the first pontiff in over 600 years to resign.
News of the Pope's death was confirmed by the Vatican, revealing that the pontiff died at 7.35AM on Monday, just hours after making his final public appearance on Easter Sunday, when he addressed waiting crowds and blessed babies and children from his popemobile.
Following Pope Francis's death, King Charles III shared a statement on X (formerly Twitter), writing: "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.
"His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world. Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.
"The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month.
"We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ."
The King signed off his message: "Charles R."
It comes after King Charles and his wife Camilla had visited the Pope in Rome earlier this month for a private meeting.
The meeting, which was understood to have been arranged at short notice, was seen by many as an expression of the King's longstanding interest in the shared values between the Crown and the Vatican.
The White House also shared a message, writing on X: "Rest in Peace, Pope Francis," alongside images of the pontiff with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
The Pope has also "exchanged good wishes" with US vice president JD Vance during a "quick and private" meeting at the Vatican while he is in Rome with his family, just a day before his death.
The Pope also decided to formally receive the US vice president ahead of his Urbi et Orbi blessing on Sunday, with the Vatican saying the meeting lasted just a few minutes.
Vance 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.
"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. May God rest his soul."
News of Pope Francis's death was announced by Cardinal Farrell in a statement shared by the Vatican on Monday.
He said: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.
"At 7.35am this morning, 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.
"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 had recently had a lengthy stay in hospital after being admitted on February 14 for bronchitis treatment.
He was then diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia and had blood transfusions after tests revealed he had low levels of platelets in his blood, believed to be related to anemia.
He was revealed to be in a critical condition on February 22 after a "prolonged respiratory crisis" which required him to be treated with a high flow of oxygen, with the Vatican announcing the next day that the pope was showing signs of "initial, mild" kidney failure.
He remained in hospital for the rest of the month, with doctors saying that his condition was "complex", as Catholics prayed for his healing.
Pope Francis released his first audio message since being admitted to hospital, telling the public on March 6: "I am with you from here."
He was released from hospital after 38 days on March 23, making his first public appearance on a balcony at Gemelli where he smiled and gave crowds gathered below a thumbs up, before returning to the Vatican for a planned two-month recovery period.
Doctors had said that while the pneumonia infection had been successfully treated, the Pope would require oral medication for some time to treat the fungal infection in his lungs, as well as undergoing respiratory and physical physiotherapy.
Born in 1936, he was the first pope from South America, and had undergone surgery to remove part of one lung in his native Argentina when he was a young man.
His original name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio and he previously served as a bishop in Buenos Aires.
Pope Francis became known as the "People's Pope" for his views on those escaping war or in poverty, as well as climate change and women in the Catholic Church.
He was also accepting of the LGBTQ community, telling reporters on a flight back from Brazil about gay clergy: "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge them?"
The final few years of his life saw him experiencing several health issues, with his public speaking being limited due to struggles with bronchitis and flu, and he needed a wheelchair or cane to get around.
Pope Francis made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday, just hours before his death.
He appeared on a balcony at the Vatican, where he blessed the thousands gathered to celebrate Easter Sunday.
The Pope had been wheeled out onto the balcony over the entrance of St Peter's Basilica in his wheelchair before being driven through the crowds in the popemobile through St Peter's Square, as onlookers cheered and chanted "Viva il Papa" - meaning long live the Pope.
He managed to tell the crowds: "Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!", before an aide read the rest of his annual Urbi et Orbi blessing and speech.
In it, the Pope called for an end to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, writing: "May the risen Christ grant Ukraine, devastated by war, his Easter gift of peace, and encourage all parties involved to pursue efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace.
"In this Jubilee year, may Easter also be a fitting occasion for the liberation of prisoners of war and political prisoners!"
While driving through the crowds, the popemobile stopped several times for the Pope to bless babies and small children, appearing to also hand them gifts.
Worshippers had been delighted to see the Pope on Sunday after he missed the solemn services of Good Friday and Holy Saturday. He had spent Holy Thursday on a visit to Rome's central prison to spend it with the inmates.
He also missed the open-air mass on Easter Sunday, which was led instead by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired archpriest of St Peter's Basilica.
Millions of Catholics are now mourning Pope Francis's passing.