Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican said on Monday. He was 88, and had recently suffered a serious bout of double pneumonia. Following are reactions to his death:
U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
"Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!" Trump wrote on social media platform Truth Social.
ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI
Meloni mourned the departure of "a great man, a great shepherd". "I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice, his teachings, which never ceased, not even during times of trial and suffering," she said in a statement.
FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON
"Throughout his pontificate Pope Francis had always sided with the most vulnerable and the most fragile, and he did this with a lot of humility," Macron said. "In this time of war and brutality, he had a sense for the other, for the most fragile."
FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN
"Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time and I am better for having known him," Biden wrote on social media platform X.
"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."
U.S. VICE-PRESIDENT JD VANCE
"My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him."
"I was happy to see him yesterday (Sunday), though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the... homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful."
INDIAN PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI
"Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world," Modi said.
"He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope. I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished."
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER:
"I join millions around the world in grieving the death of His Holiness Pope Francis," Starmer said.
"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."
GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZ
"With the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church and the world lose an advocate for the weak, a reconciling and a warm-hearted person," Scholz said on X.
"My sympathies go out to the religious community worldwide."
BRITAIN'S KING CHARLES
"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," Charles said in a statement.
PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT FERDINAND MARCOS JR
"I love this pope," Marcos Jr said of 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," he also said separately.
RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN
"Please accept my most sincere condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis," Putin said in a message to Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell.
"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."
UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY
"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," ZelenskYy wrote on X.
EGYPT'S PRESIDENT ABDEL FATTAH AL-SISI
Sisi said Pope Francis was an exceptional global figure who dedicated his life to the values of peace and justice.
"He was also a strong advocate for the Palestinian cause, defending legitimate rights and calling for an end to conflicts and the achievement of a just and lasting peace," Sisi said.
TURKISH PRESIDENT RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN
"A respected statesman, Pope Francis was also a spiritual leader who valued dialogue between different faith groups and took the initiative in the face of humanitarian tragedies, especially the Palestinian issue and the genocide in Gaza," the president wrote on X.
"On behalf of myself and my nation, I extend my condolences... to the family of the deceased, the Vatican State and the Catholic world."
ISRAEL'S PRESIDENT ISAAC HERZOG
"A man of deep faith and boundless compassion, he dedicated his life to uplifting the poor and calling for peace in a troubled world," Herzog said of Francis. "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," Herzog said on X.
PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS
The president mourned Pope Francis as a loyal friend of the Palestinian people and a global advocate for peace and justice.
Abbas highlighted in his mourning the Pope’s recognition of Palestine, his visit to Bethlehem, his prayers for peace at the separation wall, and his calls to end the war on Gaza.
HEAD OF THE ITALIAN BISHOPS' CONFERENCE (CEI) CARDINAL MATTEO ZUPPI
"It is a painful moment of great suffering for the entire Church," Zuppi said in a statement.
He asked all churches in Italy to ring their bells in a sign of mourning, and for a moment of personal and communal prayer.
IRELAND'S PREMIER MICHAEL MARTIN
"Pope Francis's legacy is his message of peace, reconciliation, and solidarity that lives in the hearts of those he inspired," Martin wrote on X.
"May he rest in peace, and may his memory continue to guide us as we strive to build a world that reflects his vision of love and compassion for all."
NIGERIA’S PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU
"I join the Catholic faithful and Christians worldwide in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, a humble servant of God, tireless champion of the poor, and guiding light for millions," he said.
"He was a steadfast advocate for the developing world, where he consistently spoke against economic injustice and ceaselessly prayed for peace and stability in troubled regions."
KENYAN PRESIDENT WILLIAM RUTO
"He exemplified servant leadership through his humility, his unwavering commitment to inclusivity and justice, and his deep compassion for the poor and the vulnerable. His strong ethical and moral convictions inspired millions across the world, regardless of faith or background," Ruto wrote on X.
SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA
“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," Ramaphosa said in a statement.
"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,” he added.
GREEK PRIME MINISTER KYRIAKOS MITSOTAKIS
"May the legacy of understanding and love that Pope Francis leaves behind find the best continuation," Mitsotakis wrote.
LEBANESE PRESIDENT JOSEPH AOUN
"We in Lebanon, the land of diversity, feel the loss of a dear friend and a strong supporter. The late Pope always carried Lebanon in his heart and prayers, and he always called on the world to support Lebanon in its ordeal," Aoun wrote on X.
PORTUGUESE PRIME MINISTER LUIS MONTENEGRO
Francis was "an extraordinary Pope who leaves a unique legacy of humanism, empathy, compassion and closeness to people", Montenegro said, adding that following his teachings and example would be the best way to honour his memory.
AUSTRALIA'S PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE
"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," Albanese said, adding that government flags would fly at half mast as a sign of respect for Pope Francis.
ARGENTINA'S PRESIDENT JAVIER MILEI
"It is with profound sorrow that I learned this sad morning that Pope Francis, Jorge Bergoglio, passed away today and is now resting in peace," Milei wrote on X.
"Despite differences that seem minor today, having been able to know him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honor for me."
IRANIAN PRESIDENT MASOUD PEZESHKIA
"Pope Francis dedicated his life to spreading the teachings of Christ and made effective and lasting efforts in this direction," Pezeshkian said
"One of the highlights of his life and leadership was his humanitarian stance against inhumane behaviour in the world, especially Israel’s actions in Gaza."
GERMANY'S CHANCELLOR-IN-WAITING FRIEDRICH MERZ
Pope Francis would be remembered for tireless commitment to the society's weakest members, Merz said in a post on X. "He was guided by humility and faith in God's mercy," he added.
AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR CHRISTIAN STOCKER
"His death is a painful loss for the Catholic Church and for many people around the globe. His tireless commitment to peace, justice, and tolerance will never be forgotten."
GIUSEPPE ONUFRIO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP GREENPEACE ITALY
"We greet Pope Francis with respect. He has been one of the few global voices capable of denouncing with clarity and courage how the climate crisis is destroying our planet and aggravating inequalities," Onufrio said.
ANNE BARRETT DOYLE, CO-DIRECTOR, BISHOP ACCOUNTABILITY CLERGY SEX ABUSE TRACKING GROUP
"Pope Francis was a beacon of hope to many of the world’s most desperate and marginalized people. But what we most needed from this pope was justice for the Church’s own wounded, the children and adults sexually abused by Catholic clergy. In this realm, where Francis had supreme power, he refused to make the necessary changes," Barrett Doyle said in a statement.
"This choice is having devastating consequences for the Church’s most powerless members. It will forever tarnish the legacy of this remarkable man."
CYPRUS PRESIDENT NIKOS CHRISTODOULIDES
"Christianity mourns the loss of a Hierarch who worked with dedication in the service of the values of social justice, love and solidarity," Christodoulides said.
PRESIDENT OF GABON BRICE OLIGUI NGUEMA
"It is with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. I extend my sincere condolences to the entire Catholic community in Gabon and beyond. His message of faith, peace and humility will remain a source of inspiration," the president wrote on X.
DUBAI'S SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL-MAKTOUM
"We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a great leader whose compassion and commitment to peace touched countless lives. His legacy of humility and interfaith unity will continue to inspire many communities around the world," the Sheikh wrote on X.
SENEGAL’S PRESIDENT BASIROUS DIOMAYE FAYE
“The world has lost a major spiritual figure," Faye wrote.
"Through his commitment to the most vulnerable and his constant call for dialogue among peoples and religions, he embodied a living hope for millions of believers and people of goodwill."
NORWEGIAN PRIME MINISTER JONAS GAHR STOERE
“Pope Francis was a powerful voice for social justice and human dignity. He built bridges in a divided world, and inspired millions with his commitment to peace, climate change issues and solidarity with the vulnerable,” Stoere wrote on X.
MOLDOVAN PRESIDENT MAIA SANDU
"The world has lost a personality who tirelessly promoted compassion and social justice. Pope Francis led with love, stood by the vulnerable, and called for unity in times of division. May his legacy live on," the president wrote on X.
NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER CHRISTOPHER LUXON
"A man of humility, his legacy includes an unwavering commitment to the vulnerable, to social justice and to interfaith dialogue. My thoughts are with Catholics and all those in New Zealand and around the world who mourn his death," Luxon said.
Pope Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America and one of the most reform-minded leaders in modern Church history, has died at the age of 88 following a cerebral stroke, the Vatican announced on Monday.
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Pope Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America and one of the most reform-minded leaders in modern Church history, has died at the age of 88 following a cerebral stroke, the Vatican announced on Monday.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday, with both leaders welcoming progress in talks toward an early trade deal, as India races to finalise an agreement and avoid fresh American tariffs.
A new UN report has warned that criminal syndicates behind Asia’s billion-dollar cyber scam industry are spreading operations across the globe, reaching as far as South America, Eastern Europe and Africa, as enforcement in Southeast Asia falls short of containing them.
As the world mourns Pope Francis, attention turns to the cardinals known as papabili — those considered possible successors. From Europe to Africa, here are the key names being discussed ahead of the next conclave.
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Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope and a transformative figure in the Roman Catholic Church, has passed away at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed in a video statement on Monday.
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Pope Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America and one of the most reform-minded leaders in modern Church history, has died at the age of 88 following a cerebral stroke, the Vatican announced on Monday.
A new UN report has warned that criminal syndicates behind Asia’s billion-dollar cyber scam industry are spreading operations across the globe, reaching as far as South America, Eastern Europe and Africa, as enforcement in Southeast Asia falls short of containing them.
As the world mourns Pope Francis, attention turns to the cardinals known as papabili — those considered possible successors. From Europe to Africa, here are the key names being discussed ahead of the next conclave.
Pope Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America and one of the most reform-minded leaders in modern Church history, has died at the age of 88 following a cerebral stroke, the Vatican announced on Monday.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday, with both leaders welcoming progress in talks toward an early trade deal, as India races to finalise an agreement and avoid fresh American tariffs.
A new UN report has warned that criminal syndicates behind Asia’s billion-dollar cyber scam industry are spreading operations across the globe, reaching as far as South America, Eastern Europe and Africa, as enforcement in Southeast Asia falls short of containing them.
As the world mourns Pope Francis, attention turns to the cardinals known as papabili — those considered possible successors. From Europe to Africa, here are the key names being discussed ahead of the next conclave.
The Kremlin on Monday expressed satisfaction with recent statements from Washington indicating that Ukraine’s NATO membership is no longer under consideration — a position that aligns closely with Russia’s long-standing stance on the issue.
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