Rome | Adored, scorned, impossible to ignore in life, former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi in death drew tributes even from his critics, and ever more lavish praise from admirers, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as prayers from Pope Francis.

Following word of Mr Berlusconi’s death on Monday in a Milan hospital, where he was being treated for chronic leukaemia, reaction poured in from around the world, from national leaders to announcers who burst into tears on one of his television networks, for the populist three-time premier and media mogul.

AP