A university professor has said Pope Francis's death is a "fragile" moment, as she recalled sharing a joke with the "charismatic" pontiff.
Prof Anna Rowlands, of Durham University, spent two years seconded to the Vatican during Francis's papacy.
The professor of Catholic social thought and practice said the pontiff had roared with laughter when she told him she was a Manchester United fan the first time they spoke at length.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, died at 07:35 local time (06:35 BST) on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
His death comes after he appeared at St Peter's Square on Sunday to wish "Happy Easter" to thousands of worshippers.