Cardinal Basil Hume back

Cardinal Basil Hume, the leader of the Catholic church in England and Wales, has lost his fight against cancer.

The 76-year-old cardinal, the archbishop of the Westminster diocese, died peacefully, the Catholic media office said. Two priests were at his bedside. He disclosed in April that he had abdominal cancer, and that it was "not in the early stages". But in letters to his fellow bishops and to the clergy of the diocese, he said he was determined to see in the Millennium. Last month he entered hospital for what was called "palliative care".

One of his last appearences in public was 2 June, when he went to Buckingham Palace to be made a member of the Order of Merit by the Queen. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "The Queen is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Cardinal Hume, whom she will remember for his outstanding contribution to the Christian life of this country."

Prime Minister Tony Blair paid tribute to a man he called "goodness personified". "He did much to inspire people of all faiths, and none. "He made an incalculable contribution to the Catholic Church. Around the world there are people who will miss him deeply and remember him for the extraordinary good that he did."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, said: "We worked together closely and productively for many years and throughout that time my respect, admiration and affection for him have grown."

Basil Hume, a monk for nearly 60 years, was abbot of the Benedictine community at Ampleforth in Yorkshire before being appointed archbishop of Westminster in March 1976. Two months later he was made a cardinal by the Pope. He was widely regarded by Catholics, by Christians of other denominations, and by people with no religious faith, as a man of simplicity and holiness.

Last year the Pope rejected his offer to resign when he reached 75. His time at Westminster has seen Catholicism strengthening its links with other churches and faiths, and playing a greater part in national life.