-as Putin sends condolence message
In Brazil, the country with the world’s largest Catholic congregation – of more than 120 million people – there is also an outpouring of affection and respect this morning.
Rui Costa, the chief of staff for Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, paid tribute to the Pope as a “simple man of great gestures who led the Catholic Church with humility, resilience and love.”
Lula’s health minister, Alexandre Padilha, called the Pope “a great champion of free access to healthcare” and remembered how “during the whole [Covid] pandemic he had raised his voice to support vaccination instead of denialism, praying for the sick, the doctors and for all health professionals”.
Rio’s mayor, Eduardo Paes, recalled meeting the pontiff during the 2013 World Youth Day Catholic event in his city, when the Pope visited one of its most deprived favelas.
“I don’t ever remember meeting someone who exudes such humility, courage and faith,” Paes wrote on X.
Laura Sarabia, the foreign minister of Colombia, where about three-quarters of people are Catholic, thanked Latin America’s first pontiff for being “a symbol of hope and renewal for the Church”. “Thank you for turning your eyes to the most vulnerable,” Sarabia wrote. “Thank you for being the voice of the poor, the migrants and the most distressed.”
Sergio Massa, a leading opposition politician in Argentina, voiced “immense pain” at the Pope’s passing. “Francisco was much more than a Pope,” Massa wrote, using the name by which Bergoglio is known in Latin America. “He was the voice of the voiceless, the leader who, in an increasingly unequal world, kept the drama of inequality, poverty and the need to care for our shared home … on his agenda.”
“The parting of the most important Argentinian in history leaves an enormous void. Thank you for so much, Francisco,” Massa added.
The Dalai Lama has praised Pope Francis for his dedication to others.
He said:
His Holiness Pope Francis dedicated himself to the service of others, consistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful life. The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warm-hearted person, serving others wherever and in whatever way we can.”
Former US president Joe Biden has paid tribute to Pope Francis as “the people’s pope”.
He posted on X:
It is with great sadness that Jill and I learned of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. He was unlike any who came before him. Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time and I am better for having known him. For decades, he served the most vulnerable across Argentina and his mission of serving the poor never ceased. As Pope, he was a loving pastor and challenging teacher who reached out to different faiths. He commanded us to fight for peace and protect our planet from a climate crisis. He advocated for the voiceless and powerless. He made all feel welcome and seen by the Church. He promoted equity and an end to poverty and suffering across the globe. And above all, he was a Pope for everyone. He was the People’s Pope – a light of faith, hope, and love.
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s has paid tribute to Pope Francis:
I learned with sorrow the death of Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the Catholic world and President of the Vatican. A respected statesman, Pope Francis was also a spiritual leader who gave importance to dialogue between different faith groups and took the initiative in the face of humanitarian tragedies, especially the Palestinian issue and the genocide in Gaza.
On behalf of myself and my nation, I offer my condolences and sympathies to the family of the deceased, the Vatican State and the Catholic world.
Simon Stiell, the UN’s climate chief, praised Pope Francis as an “unflinching global champion of climate action”.
In a post on X he said:
Pope Francis has been a towering figure of human dignity, and an unflinching global champion of climate action.
His Holiness’ message will live on: There can be no shared prosperity until we make peace with nature and protect the most vulnerable.
Caroline Davies
In the UK, the Union flag will be flown at half-mast at royal residences where King Charles is not in residence.
Sombre music will be played at the Changing the Guard ceremony to reflect “the sadness of the occasion”, a royal source said.
A member of the royal family is expected to attend the Pope’s funeral, if the Vatican is in agreement, but it is too early to say who will travel to pay their respects.
Damian Carrington
Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) of the United Nations said:
Pope Francis dedicated his life to uplifting the marginalized and advocating for the world’s most vulnerable populations. He reminded us that ‘hope’ is an action.
Pope Francis consistently championed the cause of the rural poor, Lario said, recognising their indispensable role in global food security and sustainable development.
Pope Francis often highlighted the paradox that those who produce food are the ones who suffer from hunger, calling for urgent action to support smallholder farmers and rural communities.
Lario added:
IFAD appreciates him as a champion of Indigenous People and an advocate for food security, sustainable agriculture, and the fight against hunger and inequality. He truly cared about the most vulnerable populations.
The Jesuits in Britain have paid tribute to Pope Francis who “shaped the Church in our time”.
In a statement they said:
With heavy hearts, the Jesuits in Britain mourn the death of Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope, whose leadership has profoundly shaped the Church in our time. His formation within the Society of Jesus instilled in him a gift of discernment, a sense of closeness to God, and a deep commitment to serving the marginalised and the voiceless, which he embodied throughout his ministry.
They added:
He consistently advocated for the dignity of the poor and vulnerable, urging us to be “men and women for others.” His encyclical, Laudato Si’, has inspired us to care for our common home, calling us to confront the ecological crisis with both urgency and compassion—a teaching that has been vital for our Province and has inspired our own commitment to sustainable practices.”
East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta said the death of Pope Francis was a tremendous loss for the world, not just Christians, Reuters reports.
The 88-year-old pontiff was the first pope to visit East Timor in over 30 years, following John Paul II, whose appearance gave the country’s movement for independence from occupying Indonesia from 1975-1999 a historic boost.
The president of Asia’s youngest, predominantly Catholic nation told Reuters that flags in East Timor would be flown at half-mast for one week to honour the late pontiff’s life and a mass would also be held in his honour. “He leaves behind a profound legacy of humanity, of justice, of human fraternity, a tremendous loss for the world, not only for Christians,” he said.
Ramos-Horta praised Francis’ courage to speak out “for the poor, for the weak…against arrogance, against abuse, against wars.”
Severin Carrell
John Swinney, Scotland’s first minister, has said Pope Francis was “a voice for peace, tolerance and reconciliation” and a trailblazer as the first pope from the southern hemisphere.
A church-goer who, while Protestant, accompanies his wife to Catholic mass, Swinney said he was deeply saddened to hear the pope had died.
“His Holiness was outspoken on many of the pressing issues of our time such as climate change, the death penalty and the rise of artificial intelligence. He would regularly engage with world leaders and hold them to account for their words and actions.
“Pope Francis recognised and championed the virtue of compassion and advocated for poor and marginalised communities across the world. He brought comfort, assurance and hope to many.
“I know people will take comfort from the solidarity of their communities at this very difficult time. I share the sorrow of the Catholic community, in Scotland and worldwide, in mourning the loss of His Holiness. May he rest in peace.”
Australian prime minister pays emotional tribute to Pope Francis as a ‘devoted champion’
by Dan Jervis-Bardy and Daisy Dumas
The Australian prime minister has paid an emotional tribute to Pope Francis as a “devoted champion and a loving father” of Catholics in his country, following the death of the pontiff, aged 88.
Anthony Albanese, the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, and church leaders issued statements after news of the pontiff’s death was announced on Monday night.
Speaking in Melbourne, Albanese – who is Catholic – said Francis’ death would be mourned by Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
“Today, the prayers of more than a billion people – from all nations and every walk of life – go with Pope Francis to his rest,” Albanese said.
“He urged us to remember all we hold in common, and he asked the world to hear the cry of the earth, our common home.
“He invited world leaders to join him and, to quote him, ‘emerge from the dark night of wars and environmental devastation in order to turn our common future into the dawn of a new and radiant day’.”
As the first pope from the southern hemisphere, the Argentinian was “close to the people of Australia”, Albanese said.
“For Australian Catholics, he was a devoted champion and a loving father,” he said.
Australian prime minister pays emotional tribute to Pope Francis as a ‘devoted champion’
Rachel Savage
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa offered his “deep condolences” to Catholics in the country and worldwide.
He said in a statement: “Catholics and people of all faiths are saddened today by the passing of a spiritual leader who sought to unite humanity and wished to see a world governed by fundamental human values.
“As the leader of the Church and a global figurehead, Pope Francis advanced a world view of inclusion, equality and care for marginalised individuals and groups, as well as responsible and sustainable custody of the natural environment.”
Thabo Makgoba, the Archibshop of Cape Town and the head of the Anglican church in southern Africa described the Pope as an “incredible, prophetic pastor”.
“On the numerous occasions I and my wife, Lungi, met him, he made you feel as if you were the only person in the world, holding you in his gaze with those piercing, warm and attentive eyes,” he said in a statement released by the church.
“For many around the world, including people of all faiths and of none, the distinguishing characteristic of his papacy was how close they felt to him. The last globally-recognised moral voice in our confused times, he gave us clear guidance in a complex and polarised political world.”
The Vatican has suspended a planned ceremony for the Catholic Church to proclaim the first saint from the millennial generation, it said in a statement on Monday.
Carlo Acutis, an Italian boy who died from leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15, was originally set to be made a saint at a ceremony in St. Peter’s Square on April 27 but this has been suspended following the death of Pope Francis.
Tom Phillips
Writing on X, Argentina’s president Javier Milei voiced “profound sorrow” over the death of the first Latin American pontiff.
The right-wing radical was a long time critic of the Pope, who he notoriously called a communism-promoting imbecile and even “a son of a bitch”.
However, the two men were reconciled last year during a brief meeting when Milei visited the Vatican. On Monday, Milei said it had been an honour to know the Pope, “in his goodness and wisdom” … despite differences that seem minor today”.
“As President, as an Argentine, and, fundamentally, as a man of faith, I bid farewell to the Holy Father and I stand with all of those of us who are confronted with this sad news today. RIP,” Milei added.
Helena Smith
In Greece, prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Pope Francis will be remembered for his moral leadership.
Today we join Catholic Christians around the world in their grief for the loss of the religious leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Pope Francis will be remembered as a moral leader who believed in peace, solidarity and friendship,” Mitsotakis said in a statement
The bells of Paris’ Notre Dame cathedral tolled 88 times in memory of Pope Francis, French media reported.
At midday, a mass will be held for Pope Francis in Notre Dame, franceinfo radio reported.
City authorities will turn off the lights on the Eiffel Tower on Monday night in memory of the pope, BFM TV reported.
Zelenskyy mourns Pope Francis, who ‘knew how to give hope’
The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on X:
Millions of people around the world are mourning the tragic news of Pope Francis’s passing. His life was devoted to God, to people, and to the Church. He knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer, and foster unity. He prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians. We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians who looked to Pope Francis for spiritual support. Eternal memory!
Ferdinand Marcos, president of the Philippines, paid tribute to Pope Francis as a man who led with “wisdom” and an “open heart”:
The Philippines joins the Catholic community worldwide in grieving the loss of His Holiness Pope Francis. A man of profound faith and humility, Pope Francis led not only with wisdom but with a heart open to all, especially the poor and the forgotten.
By example, Pope Francis taught us that to be a good Christian is to extend kindness and care to one another. His humility brought many back to the fold of the Church.
As we mourn his passing, we honor a life that brought hope and compassion to so many, and inspired us to love one another as Christ loved us.
It is a profoundly sad day.
Vladimir Putin sends ‘sincere condolences’ on death of Pope Francis
Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent his condolences on the death of Pope Francis, the Kremlin said on Monday, Reuters reports
“Please accept my most sincere condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis,” Putin said in a message to Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.
“Throughout the years of his pontificate, he actively promoted the development of dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, as well as constructive cooperation between Russia and the Holy See.
“In this sad hour, I would like to convey to you and the entire Catholic clergy my words of sympathy and support,” Putin said in the message.
Keir Starmer pays tribute to Pope Francis, a ‘pope for the poor and forgotten’
The UK prime minister Keir Starmer has paid tribute to Pope Francis, saying his death is a reminder of “his call to care for one another across different faiths, backgrounds, nations and beliefs”, PA News reports.
Starmer said:
I join millions around the world in grieving the death of His Holiness Pope Francis.
His leadership in a complex and challenging time for the world and the church was courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility.
Pope Francis was a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten. He was close to the realities of human fragility, meeting Christians around the world facing war, famine, persecution and poverty. Yet he never lost hope of a better world.
India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, paid tribute to Pope Francis, honouring him as “a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage.”
“Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community,” Modi wrote on X.
“Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world,” he added.
We have more from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni who said she mourned Pope Francis on Monday as a friend who had given her comfort in tough times and done his duty to the end.
“The Pope and I had a more active relationship than was apparent. It went well beyond our respective institutional roles,” she told Italian state broadcaster RAI, Reuters reports.
“We’ve met many times, even just to exchange opinions. He was able to give comfort in very difficult moments, I have many memories of the Pope.
She added: “The fact he’s leaving on Easter Monday, it’s like he wanted to do his duty until the very end,” Meloni added, saying he had appeared fatigued at their most recent meeting.
She said the Pope kept in a drawer some artwork her daughter had made for him. She was also proud of convincing him to become the first pontiff to address a Group of Seven summit in 2024.
King Charles ‘deeply saddened’ at death of Pope Francis
King Charles has paid tribute to Pope Francis:
My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis. Our heavyhearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry.
His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others. His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world. Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.
The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month.
We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ.
