The story
Pope Francis died on Monday morning, aged 88, after leading the Roman Catholic Church for more than a decade.
His funeral will take place on Saturday and will be attended by leaders from around the world.
Pope Francis was the first non-European Pope in centuries and the first to come from the Americas.
His death now starts a political process for the Catholic Church to select a new leader. A group of the Catholic Church’s most senior officials – cardinals – will vote for a new Pope in an election known as a conclave.
News headlines
The Down-to-Earth Pope: Pope Francis Has Died at Eighty-eight
New Yorker
Crowds gather to pay respects to Pope Francis in Buenos Aires
Sky News
The Next Pope: Who Are The Frontrunners to Succeed Pope Francis?
News Week
Key words and phrases
down-to-earth
humble and modest
- The company’s CEO is very down-to-earth. He always asks me about my family.
pay respects
acknowledge and honour someone who has died
- She laid flowers at her mother’s grave to pay her respects.
frontrunner
someone who is likely to win something like a competition or election
- She’s the frontrunner in the presidential race – everyone thinks she’s going to win.