This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn8v2y86gd7o

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
King Charles and Queen Camilla have 'heavy hearts' after Pope's death King Charles and Queen Camilla have 'heavy hearts' after Pope's death
(31 minutes later)
King Charles said he and Queen Camilla have "heavy hearts" after Pope Francis's death, as they paid tribute to his "compassion" and "tireless commitment" to people of faith. King Charles has said he and Queen Camilla have "heavy hearts" after Pope Francis's death, as they paid tribute to his "compassion" and "tireless commitment" to people of faith.
In a statement, the King said that though "deeply saddened", their sorrow had been "somewhat eased" by the Pope being able to share an Easter greeting with the world on Sunday, before he died aged 88.In a statement, the King said that though "deeply saddened", their sorrow had been "somewhat eased" by the Pope being able to share an Easter greeting with the world on Sunday, before he died aged 88.
The King and Camilla met the pontiff on a state visit to Italy earlier this month - one of several the couple said they remembered with "particular affection". The King and Camilla met the pontiff on a state visit to Italy earlier this month - one of several meetings with him the couple said they remembered with "particular affection".
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, echoed the King's comments, saying the Pope's death "brings great sadness to so many".Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, echoed the King's comments, saying the Pope's death "brings great sadness to so many".
Follow updates on this storyFollow updates on this story
He described the Pope as "a voice proclaiming the innate dignity of every human being, especially those who are poor or marginalised".He described the Pope as "a voice proclaiming the innate dignity of every human being, especially those who are poor or marginalised".
Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, the most senior Church of England priest, described the Pope as a "holy man of God" who was "also very human". Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, currently the most senior Church of England priest, described the Pope as a "holy man of God" who was "also very human".
"Francis's whole life and ministry was centred on Jesus who comes among us not to be served, but to serve," he added."Francis's whole life and ministry was centred on Jesus who comes among us not to be served, but to serve," he added.
The King and Pope Francis have both been long-standing advocates of combatting climate change.The King and Pope Francis have both been long-standing advocates of combatting climate change.
In 2023, the pontiff warned that the world was "collapsing" due to climate change and may be "nearing breaking point".In 2023, the pontiff warned that the world was "collapsing" due to climate change and may be "nearing breaking point".
The same year, Pope Francis also threw his weight behind calls for an end to fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas at the COP28 climate conference, saying "the destruction of the environment is an offence against God". The same year, he also threw his weight behind calls for an end to fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas at the COP28 climate conference, saying "the destruction of the environment is an offence against God".
Viewed as among the more progressive popes, he had the difficult task of maintaining Church unity in a changing world.Viewed as among the more progressive popes, he had the difficult task of maintaining Church unity in a changing world.
Pope Francis allowed priests to bless same-sex couples in 2023, a significant step forward for LGBT Catholics - but a controversial move for many, which fell short of allowing blessings in regular church rituals or weddings, while marking a departure from a long-held Church position.Pope Francis allowed priests to bless same-sex couples in 2023, a significant step forward for LGBT Catholics - but a controversial move for many, which fell short of allowing blessings in regular church rituals or weddings, while marking a departure from a long-held Church position.
He also opposed gay adoption, as well as holding other traditional views, like rejecting the death penalty, abortion and supporting the celibacy of priests. He also opposed gay adoption, as well as holding other traditional views, like rejecting the death penalty and abortion and supporting the celibacy of priests.
The King said he and Camilla had been "greatly moved to have been able to visit him" earlier in April, after first meeting the Pope in 2017 while Charles was still Prince of Wales. The King said he and Camilla had been "greatly moved" to have been able to visit the Pope earlier in April, after first meeting him in 2017 while Charles was still Prince of Wales.
In his Buckingham Palace statement on Monday, the King said: "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. In his statement, the King said: "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."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.""Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many."
The King said he remembered meeting Pope Francis on several occasions - including the first in 2017 - with "particular affection"The King said he remembered meeting Pope Francis on several occasions - including the first in 2017 - with "particular affection"
Also paying tribute, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was joining "millions around the world in grieving the death". Also paying tribute, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was joining "millions around the world in grieving the death of His Holiness Pope Francis".
He praised the Pope's leadership of the Catholic Church as "courageous" and coming from a "place of deep humility".He praised the Pope's leadership of the Catholic Church as "courageous" and coming 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," Sir Keir said. "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 the faith-fuelled hope of a better world.""Yet he never lost the faith-fuelled hope of a better world."
In his final address on Easter Sunday, read out by a member of the clergy, Pope Francis reiterated his frequent call for peace, saying it could not be achieved without "freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others".In his final address on Easter Sunday, read out by a member of the clergy, Pope Francis reiterated his frequent call for peace, saying it could not be achieved without "freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others".
The Pope alluded to the people of Gaza, in particular its Christian population, saying the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas "causes death and destruction" and created a "deplorable humanitarian situation".The Pope alluded to the people of Gaza, in particular its Christian population, saying the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas "causes death and destruction" and created a "deplorable humanitarian situation".
He also called a global rise in antisemitism "worrisome", expressing his "closeness to the sufferings" of Israelis and Palestinians.He also called a global rise in antisemitism "worrisome", expressing his "closeness to the sufferings" of Israelis and Palestinians.
The Pope also encouraged all parties involved in the Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine to "pursue efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace" - though he previously caused controversy for urging Ukraine to seek an end to the war and have "the courage to raise the white flag". The Pope also encouraged all parties involved in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine to "pursue efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace" - though he had previously caused controversy for urging Ukraine to seek an end to the war and have "the courage to raise the white flag".
Pope Francis's passing sets into motion the process for the Church to select a new leader.Pope Francis's passing sets into motion the process for the Church to select a new leader.
Speaking at a news conference, Cardinal Nichols and Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe both appeared to rule themselves out of becoming the next Pope.Speaking at a news conference, Cardinal Nichols and Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe both appeared to rule themselves out of becoming the next Pope.
Cardinal Ratcliffe, 79, said the Holy Spirit "is far too wise to even think of me for the shortest moment." Cardinal Radcliffe, 79, said the Holy Spirit "is far too wise to even think of me for the shortest moment".
Cardinal Nichols, who will be 80 in November, said he is "too old, not capable".Cardinal Nichols, who will be 80 in November, said he is "too old, not capable".
The next Pope must be someone of great inner strength and peace, he added.The next Pope must be someone of great inner strength and peace, he added.
Cardinal Radcliff said he was struck by Pope Francis's "profound desire to make everybody seem welcome". Cardinal Radcliffe said he was struck by Pope Francis's "profound desire to make everybody seem welcome".
"This is one of his phrases, he would say 'all are welcome, todos, todos, todos', because he believed the church should be a universal home," he said."This is one of his phrases, he would say 'all are welcome, todos, todos, todos', because he believed the church should be a universal home," he said.