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Catholics around the world mourn Pope Francis Catholics around the world mourn Pope Francis
(about 2 hours later)
Services have been held in Costa Rica and elsewhere around the world to mark the Pope's deathServices have been held in Costa Rica and elsewhere around the world to mark the Pope's death
From the Vatican to the Philippines, Catholics are spending their Easter Monday saying goodbye to their spiritual leader Pope Francis.From the Vatican to the Philippines, Catholics are spending their Easter Monday saying goodbye to their spiritual leader Pope Francis.
His death comes at one of the most important times of the year for followers of the Roman Catholic Church, and less than 24 hours after the ailing Pope addressed worshipers in St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday.His death comes at one of the most important times of the year for followers of the Roman Catholic Church, and less than 24 hours after the ailing Pope addressed worshipers in St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday.
That timing is not lost on Catholics.That timing is not lost on Catholics.
"He [God] chose the most beautiful day for the Christian Church - he couldn't have chosen a better day," said Father Sergio Codera, a Salesian priest from Spain."He [God] chose the most beautiful day for the Christian Church - he couldn't have chosen a better day," said Father Sergio Codera, a Salesian priest from Spain.
He continued: "It [Easter] is the most important occasion Christians celebrate, when we celebrate that death does not have the final word.He continued: "It [Easter] is the most important occasion Christians celebrate, when we celebrate that death does not have the final word.
"And it has been this day that God has chosen for Pope Francis to meet him.""And it has been this day that God has chosen for Pope Francis to meet him."
Mourners poured into St Peter's Square in the Vatican to pay their respects to the late PopeMourners poured into St Peter's Square in the Vatican to pay their respects to the late Pope
In the Vatican, there is shock from those who saw Francis perform his final public duty.In the Vatican, there is shock from those who saw Francis perform his final public duty.
"It was very shocking - we just saw him yesterday for the Easter celebration and we received a blessing," one man in St Peter's Square told the BBC."It was very shocking - we just saw him yesterday for the Easter celebration and we received a blessing," one man in St Peter's Square told the BBC.
One woman who heard his address said: "He took his duty to the people so seriously - even when he was so unwell yesterday, he still came out, he was still part of the Easter mass, he still got to speak to us."One woman who heard his address said: "He took his duty to the people so seriously - even when he was so unwell yesterday, he still came out, he was still part of the Easter mass, he still got to speak to us."
Church bells have been ringing out across Manila, the capital of the Philippines, where worshippers have gathered in churches to pray and reflect on the Pope's death.Church bells have been ringing out across Manila, the capital of the Philippines, where worshippers have gathered in churches to pray and reflect on the Pope's death.
LIVE UPDATES: Pope Francis dies aged 88LIVE UPDATES: Pope Francis dies aged 88
ANALYSIS: The Pope from Latin America who changed Catholic ChurchANALYSIS: The Pope from Latin America who changed Catholic Church
EXPLAINER: What next after the death of Pope Francis?EXPLAINER: What next after the death of Pope Francis?
WATCH: The pontiff's last public appearance on Easter SundayWATCH: The pontiff's last public appearance on Easter Sunday
IN PICTURES: Defining images of the first Latin American popeIN PICTURES: Defining images of the first Latin American pope
Around 85% of the nation's population of 110 million are Roman Catholic, making it the church's stronghold in Asia.Around 85% of the nation's population of 110 million are Roman Catholic, making it the church's stronghold in Asia.
Among them is Jude Aquino, an altar server who reflected on the Pope's influence on young Catholics shortly after his death was confirmed.Among them is Jude Aquino, an altar server who reflected on the Pope's influence on young Catholics shortly after his death was confirmed.
He told Reuters news agency: "It's a big hit against the Catholic Church because for the youth like us, he's such a big role model - a role model whom we follow since he's a vicar of Christ."He told Reuters news agency: "It's a big hit against the Catholic Church because for the youth like us, he's such a big role model - a role model whom we follow since he's a vicar of Christ."
Worshippers gathered at Baclaran Church in Paranaque, Metro Manila, to pay their respects to the late PopeWorshippers gathered at Baclaran Church in Paranaque, Metro Manila, to pay their respects to the late Pope
Catholics in rebel-held Bukavu, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, have gathered at Notre-Dame de la Paix Cathedral to mourn.Catholics in rebel-held Bukavu, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, have gathered at Notre-Dame de la Paix Cathedral to mourn.
Around half of DR Congo's population is Catholic, the largest such community in Africa.Around half of DR Congo's population is Catholic, the largest such community in Africa.
Francis addressed half a million worshipers in the capital Kinshasa in 2023, becoming the first Pope to visit the conflict-ridden country in more than three decades. During his final address on Easter Sunday, the pope called for an end to violence in the country.Francis addressed half a million worshipers in the capital Kinshasa in 2023, becoming the first Pope to visit the conflict-ridden country in more than three decades. During his final address on Easter Sunday, the pope called for an end to violence in the country.
"Pope Francis was a pope who loved our country, the DRC, very much," Sifa Albertina said outside the cathedral."Pope Francis was a pope who loved our country, the DRC, very much," Sifa Albertina said outside the cathedral.
"He even decided to come to DRC despite his health condition, to meet the Congolese people and share their difficulties."He even decided to come to DRC despite his health condition, to meet the Congolese people and share their difficulties.
"I saw him come to Congo. May God welcome his soul, because the pope really cared about us.""I saw him come to Congo. May God welcome his soul, because the pope really cared about us."
Pope Francis was the first pope to visit the DRC in 37 years when he visited in 2023Pope Francis was the first pope to visit the DRC in 37 years when he visited in 2023
Seven days of mourning have been declared in Brazil, which is home to the largest Catholic population in the world.Seven days of mourning have been declared in Brazil, which is home to the largest Catholic population in the world.
Speaking outside the Church of our Lady of Lourdes in Rio de Janeiro, worshipper Rosane Ribeiro said: "I thought he was a unique and extraordinary person, also during [the pandemic].Speaking outside the Church of our Lady of Lourdes in Rio de Janeiro, worshipper Rosane Ribeiro said: "I thought he was a unique and extraordinary person, also during [the pandemic].
"As a priest, he got up every day to pray for the world... and died at a marvellous and beautiful time [Easter], worthy of him.""As a priest, he got up every day to pray for the world... and died at a marvellous and beautiful time [Easter], worthy of him."
During his time as Pope, Francis faced criticism at times over his handling of child sex abuse scandals, but was praised by some for speaking with victims and putting in place new rules to hold clergy to account.During his time as Pope, Francis faced criticism at times over his handling of child sex abuse scandals, but was praised by some for speaking with victims and putting in place new rules to hold clergy to account.
Juan Carlos Cruz Chellew, who was abused by a cleric in Chile when he was a boy, said one of the few people in the Church willing to listen to him was Pope Francis.Juan Carlos Cruz Chellew, who was abused by a cleric in Chile when he was a boy, said one of the few people in the Church willing to listen to him was Pope Francis.
Attendees packed into the Catedral da Se in São Paulo on Monday to mark the occasionAttendees packed into the Catedral da Se in São Paulo on Monday to mark the occasion
He said the Pope became "a real father to me" and changed the Church's attitudes to sexual abuse.He said the Pope became "a real father to me" and changed the Church's attitudes to sexual abuse.
Speaking to the BBC's Newshour programme, he continued: "He realised he had made a mistake, he was ill-informed, so he invited me and two friends to come over and I spent a week with him in Santa Marta [the Pope's Vatican residence] and he and I talked long hours about the situation.Speaking to the BBC's Newshour programme, he continued: "He realised he had made a mistake, he was ill-informed, so he invited me and two friends to come over and I spent a week with him in Santa Marta [the Pope's Vatican residence] and he and I talked long hours about the situation.
"And ever since he started changing the attitude towards sexual abuse in the church - he was an extraordinary person."And ever since he started changing the attitude towards sexual abuse in the church - he was an extraordinary person.
"It was incredible to feel listened to... through the years I've told him I feel like Lazarus: you were dead, nobody hears you, nobody cares, and suddenly the most important person does care, and sincerely cares, and makes a big change.""It was incredible to feel listened to... through the years I've told him I feel like Lazarus: you were dead, nobody hears you, nobody cares, and suddenly the most important person does care, and sincerely cares, and makes a big change."
At Mexico City's Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, mass was held in the Pope's memoryAt Mexico City's Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, mass was held in the Pope's memory
The faithful arrived in droves at Mexico City's main religious centre, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, to attend a mass for the pontiff and hear the bells ring out in his name - an act which was repeated in churches across Mexico.The faithful arrived in droves at Mexico City's main religious centre, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, to attend a mass for the pontiff and hear the bells ring out in his name - an act which was repeated in churches across Mexico.
Some arrived at the church on their knees, dragging their bodies to the church door in an act of contrition and suffering among the most devout.Some arrived at the church on their knees, dragging their bodies to the church door in an act of contrition and suffering among the most devout.
Others simply stood with their heads bowed in quiet remembrance of a man who had stood with Mexico's poorest, including its migrants and victims of violence, on numerous occasions.Others simply stood with their heads bowed in quiet remembrance of a man who had stood with Mexico's poorest, including its migrants and victims of violence, on numerous occasions.
"He led us by the hand, and he will always be in our hearts", Jonathan Solis told the BBC, speaking in hushed tones at the back of the church."He led us by the hand, and he will always be in our hearts", Jonathan Solis told the BBC, speaking in hushed tones at the back of the church.
He had brought his daughter with him to pay their respects as a family, he said, and underlined that it was a source of great pride to have a Latin American Pope.He had brought his daughter with him to pay their respects as a family, he said, and underlined that it was a source of great pride to have a Latin American Pope.
"He was so important to Latinos. We can never forget him. That's why so many families have turned out, like him - with their hearts on their sleeves - to support each other through this difficult moment.""He was so important to Latinos. We can never forget him. That's why so many families have turned out, like him - with their hearts on their sleeves - to support each other through this difficult moment."
Elsewhere, mourners gathered for mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, a US city sometimes dubbed the most Catholic in the country.Elsewhere, mourners gathered for mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, a US city sometimes dubbed the most Catholic in the country.
Mary, 70, and Tom, 71, were visiting from Chicago when they learned of the Pope's death and made their way to the cathedral to pray for him.Mary, 70, and Tom, 71, were visiting from Chicago when they learned of the Pope's death and made their way to the cathedral to pray for him.
"He was just such a wonderful man, so human, like a normal person - you feel like you could be his friend almost," Mary said."He was just such a wonderful man, so human, like a normal person - you feel like you could be his friend almost," Mary said.
In Spain, where Catholics make up more than half of the population, three days of national mourning have been declared.In Spain, where Catholics make up more than half of the population, three days of national mourning have been declared.
Nuria Ortega, a civil servant from Madrid, said: "I think he was a person that was accepted by all by Catholic and [non] Catholics and I think he was a person that was open to dialogue."Nuria Ortega, a civil servant from Madrid, said: "I think he was a person that was accepted by all by Catholic and [non] Catholics and I think he was a person that was open to dialogue."
As the search for a successor to Francis began, student Javier Herratia said the church must become more "humble" and appeal to a young generation.As the search for a successor to Francis began, student Javier Herratia said the church must become more "humble" and appeal to a young generation.
He continued: "We will have faith in the Holy Spirit and hope that the next Pope is as good as the rest."He continued: "We will have faith in the Holy Spirit and hope that the next Pope is as good as the rest."
Additional reporting by Will Grant Additional reporting by Will Grant in Mexico City and Alice Hutton in Boston