The death of Pope Francis has reverberated around the world, with the Catholic leader remembered by millions as a Jesuit pontiff who pushed for social and economic justice.
Here is how the major British newspapers responded to the news.
“Groundbreaking head of Catholic church, Pope Francis, dies at 88”, says the Guardian, featuring a picture of the late pontiff in a white soutane with his arm outstretched to the crowd.
“People’s pope”, writes the Mirror, of a pontiff who shied away from pomp and ceremony and instead became known for his humility and compassion for the most vulnerable, including the poor and marginalised.
Over at the i, the pope was viewed similarly, with the paper splashing with the same headline and a photo of Pope Francis among a crowd.
The symbolic timing of the pontiff’s death on Easter Monday was not lost at the Metro.
“The final blessing” was the paper’s main headline, featuring a photo of Pope Francis touching the hand of a small child in St Peter’s square.
“One last Easter blessing and his work was done”, concurred the Daily Telegraph.
“He’s returned to the house of the Father”, says the Daily Mail.
“Modernising pontiff in era of populism and polarisation” is the take at the Financial Times on the Catholic leader who was known for working to bridge political and religious divides.
Finally, at the Sun, the paper ran with the headline: “Truly Blessed”.
