Sawt Falasteen - Global mourning as Pope Francis dies of stroke aged 88

The Argentine pontif died at his Santa Marta residence in the Vatican almost a month after leaving hospital following a five-week stay battling double pneumonia.

One day after he greeted Easter crowds in St Peter's Square, mourners gathered in the plaza, many in tears, to mark his passing.

"He's actually returned to the Lord -- and godspeed," Italian Cesarina Cireddu told AFP.

World leaders from US President Donald Trump to Russian leader Vladimir Putin paid tribute to the pope's moral and spiritual leadership. Prayers were held around the world.

"We are orphaned," said street sweeper Javier Languenari, 53, in the pope's home city of Buenos Aires, as Argentina declared a week of national mourning.

According to the death certificate released by the Vatican, Francis died of a stroke, causing a coma and "irreversible" heart failure.

It also revealed he had Type 2 diabetes, which was not previously known.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican official who takes over the immediate running of church affairs, announced Francis's death.

"This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His church," said the camerlengo.

Francis's body was to be laid on Monday evening in a single coffin of wood and zinc in the Santa Marta chapel, ahead of the transfer likely Wednesday to St Peter's Basilica to lie in state.

Cardinals will meet on Tuesday to start planning the funeral at St Peter's Basilica, which must take place between four and six days after the death -- between Friday and Sunday.

Francis had already announced he would be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. In his will published Monday, he said he wanted a simple, unadorned tomb "with the only inscription: Franciscus", Francis in Latin.

The cardinals will also start preparing the conclave, where cardinals under the age of 80 will meet within three weeks to decide who will become Francis's successor.

- 'Terrible shock' -

A hush descended on the normally boisterous St Peter's Square as the death knell rang out for the pope's passing.

Caroline Wahl, visiting from Germany, said the pope had looked "weak" when they saw him on Easter Sunday, adding that thinking about him now gave her "goosebumps".

The bells at Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris in France rang out 88 times -- one for each year of the pope's life -- and they also tolled in Mosul, in Iraq, where the pope visited in 2021.

In Gaza, where the war between Israel and Hamas rages on, the Christian community feels "as though a light of love and peace has been extinguished", said George Ayad, 67.

In Kinshasa, Madeleine Bomendje struggled to accept the news: "It's a terrible shock," she said.

The lights of the Eiffel tower were turned off on Monday night, while the Colosseum in Rome was to go dark on Tuesday.

- 'Beacon of compassion' -

Francis, born Jorge Bergoglio, was the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic world and the first from the Americas.

He took over after Benedict XVI became the first pontiff since the Middle Ages to step down -- and cut a sharply different figure from the German theologian.

A football-loving former archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis sought to forge a more open and compassionate Church.

He strongly defended social justice and the rights of migrants, and repeatedly called for action against climate change.

Throughout his papacy, Francis championed the poor and vulnerable and emphasised love over doctrine, famously saying of gay believers, "who am I to judge".

His views riled Church traditionalists, while his outspoken views often clashed with those of politicians, but widespread tributes were paid.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Francis a "beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage".

Argentina's President Javier Milei -- who had before taking office accused Francis of being an "imbecile" who "promotes communism" pointed to his compatriot's "goodness and wisdom" despite their "differences".

Former US president Joe Biden, a Catholic, hailed "one of the most consequential leaders of our time".

Argentine football great Lionel Messi thanked Francis for "making the world a better place" as the late pontiff's favourite club, San Lorenzo, paid tribute to "a thoughtful, open-minded, cultured man".

- Health issues -

Francis, who had part of his lung removed as a young man, almost died twice while in hospital with double pneumonia -- but still defied doctor's orders to take two months off after returning home.

Known for being stubborn, he made several public appearances, including meeting Britain's King Charles and visiting a prison.

He later toured Saint Peter's Square in his popemobile, greeting worshippers.

His hospital stay was the latest of a series of health issues, from colon and hernia surgery to problems walking, which saw him take to a wheelchair in recent years.

But he never took a day off and made frequent trips abroad, including a four-nation Asia-Pacific tour last September which drew huge crowds.

- Church reforms -

When Francis took over, the Catholic Church was beset by infighting, and plagued by a global scandal over cover-ups of clerical sex abuse of children.

However, critics accused him of creating doctrinal confusion and failing to defend traditional Catholic beliefs on key issues such as abortion and divorce.

On abuse, he promised an end to impunity and changed Vatican law, but victims' groups said his actions fell short of the "zero-tolerance" he promised.

"In this realm, where Francis had supreme power, he refused to make the necessary changes," said Anne Barrett Doyle from BishopAccountability.org, complaining of a lack of external oversight and transparency.

"It will forever tarnish the legacy of this remarkable man."

R.Halabi--SF-PST