Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced the sad news that 88-year-old Pope Francis passed away at around 7.30am on Easter Monday

Stars from around the world have begun paying tribute to the Pope following the announcement of his death.

The world has reacted with grief to news that the Pontiff passed away at around 7.30am today, after struggling with his health for several months. On Sunday afternoon the leader of the Vatican church blessed thousands of visitors to St Paul’s Square as he made a surprise appearance in a trip in the Popemobile for Easter Sunday.

Whoopi Goldberg was one of the first to react to the news and alongside an image of them both she wrote: “He was the closest in a long time that seemed to remember that Christ’s love enveloped believer and none believer. He felt more like Pope John the 23rd who made belief real. Sail on Pope Frances with your love of humanity & Laughter.”

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Eva Longoria met the Pope last year and she was saddened by his passing

Jose Mourinho took to social media after the announcement ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Eva Longoria and football manager Jose Mourinho also offered tributes, sharing an image of the Pope on social media before writing: “To be great, above all you need to know how to be small. Humility is the foundation to true greatness. Pope Francisco Hope is a light in the night.”

Spanish actor Antonio Banderas also posted, writing: “Pope Francisco has died — a man who, at the head of the Catholic Church, showed kindness, love, and mercy to the neediest people. @franciscus #RIP #DEP.”

Revered Richard Coles, the Church of England priest, paid his own tribute, writing: “Into your hands, O merciful Saviour, we commend your servant Jorge, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. ‘Receive him into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen. #PopeFrancis.”

Sarah, Duchess of York said: “No better example of total humility in kindness and compassion. Thank you for leading us not just with words, but with your unwavering service to humanity.”

Gladiator star Russell Crowe said it was a “beautiful day in Rome, but, a sad day for the faithful.” Crowe, 61, and the makers of his film Noah, based on the biblical story of Noah’s Ark, attended Pope Francis’s general audience at St Peter’s Square in 2014.

BBC journalist and host of University Challenge, Amol Rajan, said the Pope would be remembered “as a radical and a humanitarian, focusing from the outset on the poor, the weak, and the downtrodden”.

In a social media post, he said: “His was truly a life of service: he devoted his adulthood to his faith and his flock. What a life, and what a legacy – whether you share his faith or not.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he is “deeply saddened” to hear of the death of Pope Francis as he joins millions around the world in grieving the death. He commended the Pope’s leadership in a “complex and challenging time for the world and the church”, describing it as “often courageous” yet always coming “from a place of deep humility”.

He said: “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.”

Mr Starmer said Pope Francis was a “pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten”, adding: “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.”