World leaders pay tribute to Pope Francis, remembering him for his compassion, humility, and dedication to peace and social justice.
In a statement issued by be Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, Pope Francis, who was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died at 07:35 local time on Easter Monday.
He said that Pope Francis’s entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.
The news came just a day after Francis appeared before worshippers at Saint Peter’s Basilica for Easter Sunday, waving to crowds from the balcony despite still recovering from a serious illness.
Francis had faced two near-death experiences earlier this year due to pneumonia and he was hospitalised for 38 days before being discharged on March 23.
During his Easter appearance, he greeted the faithful in Saint Peter’s Square with a “Happy Easter” and in his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” benediction, he called for “freedom of thought and tolerance.”
Pope Francis’ death at the age of 88 on this Easter Monday has sparked mourning across the catholic world, as millions mark the death of the head of the church.
US Vice President JD Vance, who met the pope just yesterday, said his heart “goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him”.
“I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his Soul.”
Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister, led tributes in Britain, saying Pope Francis’s leadership of the church “was often courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility.”
The PM continued: “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 the faith-fuelled hope of a better world.”
“That hope was as the heart of his papacy. His determination to visibly live out his faith inspired people across the world to see afresh the church’s teachings of mercy and charity.”
Former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, who converted to Catholicism after leaving No10, said Pope Francis was admired “for his humility, compassion and unwavering commitment to the Christian faith”.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed deep shock over Pope Francis’s death. “I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship,” she adds in the statement.
Meloni asked the world, once again, for the courage to change direction, to follow a path that ‘does not destroy, but cultivates, repairs, protects'”.
“His teaching and his legacy will not be lost. We greet the Holy Father with hearts full of sadness, but we know that he is now in the peace of the Lord.”
In a condolence message to Christians and communities in the Holy Land, Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised the late Pope as
“A man of deep faith and boundless compassion, he dedicated his life to uplifting the poor and calling for peace in a troubled world,”
“I truly hope that his prayers for peace in the Middle East and for the safe return of the hostages (in Gaza) will soon be answered,” he added in a post on X.
Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz also shared a message of remembrance.
“He was guided by humility and faith in God’s mercy,” Merz posted on X, adding that Francis would be remembered for his unwavering support for society’s most vulnerable.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez hails Pope Francis’s commitment to the “most vulnerable”.
He said in a post on the social media platform X: “I mourn the passing of Pope Francis.
His commitment to peace, social justice, and the most vulnerable leaves a profound legacy. Rest in peace.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has paid tribute to Pope Francis, saying he knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer, and foster unity.”
Zelensky added that the late Pope 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!”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “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.
“Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world. From a young age, he devoted himself towards realising the ideals of Lord Christ” said Modi.
According to him, Pope diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope.
Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader, simply said: “My sympathies go out to all in the Catholic Church following the death of Pope Francis. I met him and liked him very much.”
John Swinney, SNP leader and First Minister of Scotland said: “It is with deep sadness I heard the news this morning of the death of Pope Francis. He was a voice for peace, tolerance and reconciliation in our society. He brought comfort, assurance and hope to many.
Fare-thee-well Pope
Source: Agencies
