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Thousands pay tribute to Pope Francis

Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died aged 88.

Thousands have gathered in St Peter's Square in Rome for prayers following the death of Pope Francis. He died of stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure, the Vatican says in a statement.

We will get reaction from across the world - including from a Christian community in Gaza that Pope Francis contacted regularly.

Also on the programme: Actor Jonathan Pryce, who portrayed Pope Francis in the film The Two Popes, gives us his tribute; and the ѿý’s Ukraine Correspondent James Waterhouse travelled to the southern city of Kherson, where there was a period of brief reprieve during the 30-hour “Easter truce”.

(Photo: The dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica is pictured, after the death of Pope Francis was announced, at St. Peter's Square, in the Vatican, April 21, 2025. Credit: Reuters)

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