Prayers and tears — Berlusconi in death draws tributes even from his critics

Adored, scorned, impossible to ignore in life, Silvio Berlusconi in death drew tributes even from critics, and ever more lush praise from admirers, including Russian President Vladimir Putin. Following word of Berlusconi’s death on Monday in a Milan hospital, where he was being treated for chronic leukemia, reaction poured in from around the world, from national leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin to Pope Francis, for the populist three-time premier and media mogul.