The openness and compassion of Pope Francis may carry over to the next pontiff to take up his title. 

The Head of the Catholic Church died last night after a stroke - he was 88. 

A period of mourning has begun. 

Worshippers will flock to the Vatican in the coming days to farewell Pope Francis, including the Cardinals who will elect his successor. 

Former representative to the Holy See, Sir David Moxon, says the Pope chose most of the Cardinals - so he'd expect them to value a warm and loving Church.

"I think that it would be highly likely that the next Pope would be someone who would respect the pontificate of Pope Francis."

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