Pope Francis mourned worldwide as Vatican prepares for conclave

• Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday after a prolonged illness. On Easter Sunday, he met with the faithful at St. Peter's Square.
• Donald Trump bid farewell to the Pope by posting a brief message on social media.
• Condolences following the death of the Holy Father had already appeared on the official White House profile.

Donald Trump reacted to the death of Pope Francis by posting a heartfelt message on social media. "Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!" wrote the former US President on the Truth Social platform.

Earlier, the White House published photos on the X service that show Pope Francis with President Donald Trump and his wife Melania.

These photographs are from an audience during which the presidential couple met with the Holy Father. In another photo, Vice President J.D. Vance, who also had the opportunity to meet the Pope in Vatican City, just a day before the Pope's death.

Pope Francis has died – he passed away on Monday morning in Vatican City at the age of 88. Just a day earlier, he appeared publicly, blessing the faithful from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. The Vatican confirmed that the cause of death was complications related to his long-standing health issues. Preparations for the funeral and the conclave to choose his successor are underway.

Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) was born on 17 December 1936 in Buenos Aires. He was the first Pope from South America and the first Jesuit to hold the position. He was elected to the Holy See on 13 March 2013, following the resignation of Benedict XVI.

The Pope's death triggers a carefully planned sequence of actions to ensure the Church's continuous operation and a dignified farewell to its leader. Francis appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica the day before his death to give the Urbi et Orbi blessing, and then he boarded the popemobile and travelled around the square for a significant duration – as it later turned out, this was his last public appearance.

Immediately after the death is announced, strictly defined rituals commence – the body is transported to St. Peter's Basilica, and the person serving as the camerlengo repeats the Pope's name three times and touches his forehead with a silver hammer, which symbolically confirms the Church leader's death.

The camerlengo – currently American Cardinal Kevin Farrell – takes charge in the Vatican during this period. He also destroys the papal Fisherman's Ring and coordinates preparations for the conclave, which involves electing a new Pope.

The conclave commences several days after the funeral and takes place in strict secrecy – elector-cardinals are enclosed in the Sistine Chapel and vote until the new head of the Church is chosen, following centuries-old procedures and exact protocols.