The news of Pope Francis’s death will come as a shock to millions around the world, but Sky News commentator Alastair Bruce says it was “almost miraculous”.
“I think the shock for us all was that he survived so long after such incredible illness,” he says.
“It is remarkable that he not only revived but revived enough to meet the King and Queen and to be present in the Vatican during holy week.
“He has almost miraculously died straight after the celebration of Easter, which is a profound time of hope and new beginnings.”
The pope was seen blessing thousands of faithful yesterday, greeting people and children while travelling in the popemobile.
“I would imagine that for the Roman Catholic Church now there will be a moment of pause, a moment of reflection,” says Bruce.
‘Witty, lively and good to be with’: Tributes come in for pope
World leaders have begun paying tribute to the pope.
French President Emmanuel Macron described him as a leader who “wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest” in a post on social media.
“In this time of war and brutality, he had a sense for the other, for the most fragile,” he added to reporters.
Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz said the pope would be remembered for tireless commitment to the most vulnerable.
“He was guided by humility and faith in God’s mercy,” Merz added on social media.
Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s prime minister, said the news “saddens us deeply, because a great man and a great pastor have left us”.
Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, said the pope’s “whole life and ministry was centred on Jesus” who “comes among us not to be served, but to serve”.
“I remember, in the brief times I spent with him, how this holy man of God was also very human,” he added.
“He was witty, lively, good to be with, and the warmth of his personality and interest in others shone out from him.”
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