Alfie Evans has died

Source: ICN/CCN

Alfie has died. His father, Tom wrote in a Facebook post, gave us the words which will now be an epitaph: "My gladiator lay down his shield and gained his wings. Absolutely heartbroken. I LOVE YOU MY GUY."

His mother, Kate posted on Facebook: "Our baby boy grew his wings tonight at 2.30am. We are heart broken. Thankyou everyone for all your support."

Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP, Archbishop of Liverpool, has issued the following statement on behalf of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.

'I would like to express my deepest sympathy at this moment of loss to Tom and Kate as we hold little Alfie in our prayers. All who have been touched by the story of this little boy's heroic struggle for life will feel this loss deeply. But as a Christian Alfie has the promises of God, who is love, to welcome him into his heavenly home.

'Although the past few weeks have been difficult with much activity on social media, we must recognise that all who have played a part in Alfie's life have wanted to act for his good, as they see it. Above all, we must thank Tom and Kate for their unstinting love of their son, and the staff at Alder Hey Hospital for their professional care of Alfie. Now it is time for us to give Tom and Kate space to grieve their son's death and offer our prayers for him and consolation for all.'