Alfie's Army rallies behind his family and releases balloons in his honor

Updated 1924 GMT (0324 HKT) April 28, 2018

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

Balloons were released into the air to pay tribute to the terminally ill toddler.

(CNN)Purple and blue balloons scattered across the cloudy sky of Liverpool on Saturday as people chanted "Alfie, Alfie, AlfIe."

Just hours after terminally ill British toddler Alfie Evans died overnight, his supporters gathered in Springfield Park adjacent to the hospital where he had been since December 2016.

People prepare to release balloons in memory of Alfie Evans.

The group, dubbed Alfie's Army on social media, united behind the family's high-profile legal battle over whether life support should be continued for the 23-month-old.

A woman holds balloons with photos of Alfie Evans on Saturday.

They united in the park Saturday donning their balloons in purple and blue, some with images of Alfie attached to them.

Balloon launch in Springfield Park. RIP Alfie #AlfiesArmy pic.twitter.com/yxRKbv0QvN
— martyn toft (@martyntoft) April 28, 2018

As they released the balloons in the air, members of the crowd clapped and cheered before chanting his name.

I am deeply moved by the death of little Alfie. Today I pray especially for his parents, as God the Father receives him in his tender embrace.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) April 28, 2018

Alfie garnered worldwide attention during his family's legal battle, even drawing attention from Pope Francis, who tweeted Saturday that he was "deeply moved" by Alfie's death.

CNN's Laura Smith-Spark contributed to this report.