Pope Francis's cause of death may have been linked to a brain issue, possibly a stroke, Italian media reports. Italian daily La Repubblica reported words from the doctors from the Gemelli hospital, where Pope Francis was treated for weeks following his admission to the Rome clinic in February for dual pneumonia. They said: "The pope died peacefully." 

The Italian report added that the respiratory problems that prompted the hospitalisation of the leader of the Catholic Church earlier this year did not appear to be linked to the Argentine pope's death. The pope was admitted to hospital on February 14, after being initially diagnosed with bronchitis. It later emerged Pope Francis, whose real name was Jorge Maria Bergoglio, was suffering from dual pneumonia. 

We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit: /news
Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow our social media accounts here on facebook.com/DailyExpress and @daily_express