Tributes are being paid to Pope Francis after the confirmation of his death by the Vatican. He was aged 88.

Pope Francis died Monday morning, Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced.

“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,″ Farrell said in the announcement. “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.″

The leader of the Roman Catholic church had been hospitalised on Friday 14 February for tests and treatment for bronchitis at Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic.

Pope Franceis marked Easter Sunday by blessing thousands of people who had gathered for mass in St Peter’s Square and then embarking on a surprise popemobile tour around the piazza on Sunday.

The 88-year-old pontiff did not celebrate mass in the square, delegating the service instead to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired archpriest of St Peter’s Basilica.,

Francis was diagnosed with bronchitis in early February, but had continued to hold daily audiences in his Vatican hotel suite, and even presided at an outdoor Mass on Sunday 9 February.

But he had handed over his speeches for an aide to read aloud, saying he was having trouble breathing.

Francis, who had part of one lung removed at age 21, had long battled health problems, especially bouts of acute bronchitis in winter and had used a wheelchair, walker or cane when moving around his apartment.

The Pope was especially prone to lung infections due to developing pleurisy – an inflammation of the thin outer covering of the lung – as an adult.