Penny Lancaster shared a heartfelt tribute to the late Pope Francis after it was announced on Monday that he had passed away at the age of 88 in his residence at the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. Pope Francis’ funeral is scheduled for Saturday morning, April 26, and will mark the beginning of nine days of mourning. The Vatican released images of the late Pope in an open casket, dressed in a red robe with the papal mitre and a rosary. Pope Francis was hospitalised for several weeks in February due to double pneumonia. He returned to the Vatican in mid-March for recovery but later died following a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. Penny was deeply affected by the news as she reflected on a cherished memory shared with the Pontiff and her beloved husband, Rod Stewart, during their visit to Rome seven years ago.

She typed: "A truly special moment meeting Pope Francis in Rome 7 years ago. #thepeoplespope #restinpeace. @sirrodstewart."

In the comment section, fans praised the model for capturing such an incredible photo, in which Pope Francis can be seen grasping the couple's hands warmly.

However, not everyone has been complimentary of celebrities and public figures who have shared their experiences with his holiness, as they have questioned the motives behind sharing them online.

One said: "Who cares about these devil worshippers!" Another replied: "I wonder when these "Celebrities" last saw the inside of a church for spiritual reasons and not with a camera in tow." While a third remarked: "I think the world can sleep easier tonight knowing that these Hollywood celebrities' thoughts are with the Pope's flock." A fourth shared: "Oooh look at me, I met the pope and now he’s died. It’s one thing to post a tribute but tripping over yourselves to show a picture of yourself with him as if you were bezzies? Positively ghoulish." (sic)

Numerous celebrities, many among the nearly 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide, expressed condolences for the late Pope Francis, including Hollywood director, Martin Scorcese, who has grappled with Catholic faith in several of his films, called Pope Francis.

He shared of the late pope: "He radiated wisdom. He radiated goodness. He had an ironclad commitment to the good. He knew in his soul that ignorance was a terrible plague on humanity.

"So he never stopped learning. And he never stopped enlightening. And, he embraced, preached and practised forgiveness. Universal and constant forgiveness.”