Senior Vatican official announces the death of Pope Francis

Pope Francis has died, Vatican camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell has announced.

The senior official said on Monday: "At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.

"His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.

"He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalised.

"With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Tribune.''

Pope Francis was born in Buenos Aires in Argentina named Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936.

After being ordained a Catholic Priest in 1969 he became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was created a cardinal in 2001.

He was elected as Pope in 2013 at the age of 76 after Pope Benedict XVI resigned.