Relgious figures in Kent have joined the global mourning over the death of Pope Francis today (Monday).

He passed away aged 88 just as he had been convalescing after being treated in hospital for pneumonia.

The Bishop of Dover, Rt Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin said in a statement today: “I’m deeply saddened to learn of the death of His Holiness.

“Pope Francis brought hope, not just to millions of Catholics but to so many around the world.

“He was not afraid to meet with people from all kinds of backgrounds.

“His commitment to living faithfully as a disciple of Christ was echoed in his work around unity, peace and social justice.

“We mourn the loss of a spiritual leader, who for many brought light to the darkest corners of our world. May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory.

Bishop Hudson-Wilkin added: “Pope Francis was counter-cultural, travelling on public transport and in a small ordinary car after his appointment; clearly uncomfortable to embrace the trappings of Vatican life.”

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said the Pope had been a friend, adding that he will “miss him deeply”.

Mr Welby said the Pope had become someone who “spoke not just to the Catholic church, but far beyond it” and that his leadership had been “felt powerfully among us in the Anglican Communion.”

Archdeacon of Canterbury Will Adam, who met the Pope several times, said he had shown a real concern for “the poor and the marginalised”.

He added: “He had a very warm presence and a warm smile and was very good at the off-the-cuff remarks.”

The Pope died at his residence in the Vatican this morning and his passing was announced by Irish Cardinal Kevin Farrell.

It happened just a day after appearing to bless the thousands of people in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City on Easter Sunday.

He had recently resumed some official duties earlier this month during his recovery from pneumonia.

The Pope made his first public appearance since his bout of double pneumonia on April 6, when he appeared in St Peter’s Square in a wheelchair during a special jubilee mass for the sick following his discharge from hospital two weeks previously.

Leading British politicians also joined in the tributes today.

The Prime Minister said the Pope was “a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten.,

Sir Keir Starmer said on X, formerly Twitter, that Pope Francis had shown “courageous” leadership “in a complex and challenging time”, adding it “always came from a place of deep humility”.

Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch said on X: “He reminded us that leadership isn’t about power, but about service.”

The King said he and the Queen were “most deeply saddened” to learn of the Pope’s death and “were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month”.

Charles and Camilla visited the pontiff at the Vatican on April 9, the day the royal couple celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.

Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 17, 1936 in Argentina.

He was the first head of the Catholic Church from the Americas. also the first Jesuit and the first from the Southern Hemisphere.

Francis’ Papacy had begun in March 2013. and he was particularly noted for his more informal style, for example not living in an official residence but in a Vatican guest house.