Pope Francis's 4 public final words just 19 hours before pontiff died

Pope Francis wished "Happy Easter to everyone" in his last public appearance less than 24 hours before His Holiness was confirmed to have died. The religious leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide passed away at 7.35am local time today, according to Vatican officials.

But in a sign of his extraordinary resiliance and determination, Pope Francis found the strength to greet more than 35,000 faithful gathered in St Peter's Square at noon on Easter Sunday. It would be the final public act of the 88-year-old pontiff whose death is now being mourned across the world.

Pope Francis had been suffering from poor health since February, when he was admitted to Gemelli hospital in Rome on February 14, where he was diagnosed with a respiratory tract infection, pneumonia in both lungs, and mild kidney failure.

However, Pope Francis was discharged from hospital on March 25 and continued with a scaled-back schedule of public engagements, including meeting King Charles and Queen Camilla on April 9 when he wished them a happy 20th wedding anniversary.

The pontiff also gave a brief audience to US Vice President JD Vance who he met on Easter Sunday, offering gifts including a Vatican tie and rosaries for Mr Vance's wife and children.

The Prime Minister and the King have paid tribute to Pope Francis with Sir Keir Starmer saying hope was "at the heart of his papacy", while Charles said he was "most deeply saddened" by his death

The Prime Minister joined other world leaders in paying tribute to him, saying: "I join millions around the world in grieving the death of His Holiness Pope Francis.

"His leadership in a complex and challenging time for the world and the church was courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility.

"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 hope of a better world."

The King said he and the Queen were "most deeply saddened" by the news of the Pope's death.

"My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis," the King said in a statement on Monday.

"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 heart-felt 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."