Maggie May hitmaker Rod Stewart left fans devastated as he posted an emotional tribute on social media. After the death of Pope Francis this week at the age of 88 – just a day after delivering his Easter Sunday service – Rod posted a snap of the Italian flag with the pontiff’s face printed on the centre with a poignant caption.

Rod, 80, wrote: “A man of the people and the greatest Pope ever. Sir Rod.” He joins the long list of celebrities paying tribute to the late head of the Catholic church, and had fans flocking to support him in the comments section. Plenty posted prayer emojis as one wrote: “Rest in peace beautiful soul.” Another echoed: “Thanks Rod for your words.”

“Rest in peace Pope Francis, he was the people’s pope and did a lot of good things. He left the catholic church in a better stronger place than when he took over,” somebody else penned.

Plenty of A-listers have been paying their respects to the pontiff, including Whoopi Goldberg who wrote: “He was the closest in a long time that seemed to remember that Christ’s love enveloped believe and non-believer. He felt more like Pope John the 23rd who made belief real. Sail on Pope Francis with your love of humanity and laughter.”

Eve Longoria added: “Rest in peace, Your Holiness Pope Francis. Thank you for being an ally to many of us and speaking up for the marginalised. Your compassion, kindness and humility will always be remembered.”

And Susan Boyle, who performed for the Pope in 2019, said it was the “honour and privilege of her life” to do so, describing the pontiff as a “man for all seasons”.

Antonio Banderas added: “Pope Francisco has died – a man who, at the head of the Catholic church, showed kindness, love and mercy to the neediest people.”