Pope Francis, a voice for the poor who overcame fierce resistance to reshape the Catholic Church, has died on Easter Monday, at the age of 88, the Vatican has announced.

Francis emerged into the crowd at St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday in his popemobile. The Vatican announced on Easter Monday that he died.

Pope Francis's last public appearance was for an Easter Sunday blessing at the Vatican's St Peter's Square. It had been unknown at the time if the pontiff would join the service following his discharge from hospital last month,