‘A person of the folk’: World leaders react to the demise of Pope Francis

Tributes and condolences poured in from world wide following information of the demise of Pope Francis, who died on Monday on the age of 88.

Francis, who used to be elected the Catholic Church’s 266th pope after the retirement of Benedict XVI in 2013, used to be the primary Jesuit pope and the primary pope from the Southern Hemisphere, born in Argentina to Italian-Argentinian folks.

He made waves right through his papacy as a reformer who steadily rattled the church’s maximum conservative quarters, however discovered recognition amongst progressives who embraced his championing of social justice and beef up for marginalized teams.

Francis’ final authentic assembly used to be with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Easter Sunday, simply in the future sooner than his passing.

In a submit on X, Vance wrote: “I just leaned of the passing of Pope Francis. My 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.” 

The White House’s authentic X account posted two footage of the pope, one with President Donald Trump and his spouse Melania, and the opposite with Vance, along a caption that learn: “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis.”

Trump on his Truth Social account, in the meantime, posted: “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted an emotional message on her authentic Facebook account that learn: “Pope Francis has returned to the Father’s house. A news that pains us deeply, because a great man and a great pastor leaves us. I have had the privilege to enjoy his friendship, his advice and his teachings, which never diminished even in times of trial and suffering.”

French President Emmanuel Macron, in a submit on X, wrote: “From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest. May it unite people with each other and with nature. May this hope continually revive beyond him. My wife and I send our thoughts to all Catholics and to the grieving world.”

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof on X described Francis as “in every way a man of the people.”

The U.Ok.’s King Charles issued a commentary from the royal circle of relatives, announcing that he and the Queen “will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ” and that the past due Pope could 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.”

Friedrich Merz, the most likely subsequent chancellor of Germany, posted a observe of condolences describing Pope Francis’ “tireless commitment to the weakest in society, to justice and reconciliation.”

Polish President Andrzej Duda praised the Vatican chief as being “guided by humility and modesty.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in a commentary on X, hailed Francis’ “humility and love so pure for the less fortunate,” including that her “thoughts are with all who feel this profound loss.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his condolences in a submit on X, announcing that the Pope “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.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his “deepest condolences to the Christian world and especially the Christian communities in Israel – the Holy Land – on the loss of their great spiritual father, His Holiness Pope Francis.” The Pope had lengthy decried violence within the Middle East and referred to as vocally for a ceasefire within the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

A commentary posted to the Egyptian presidential spokesperson’s Facebook web page stated that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi “mourns with deep sorrow the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, Pope of the Vatican, who left our world, leaving behind a great humanitarian legacy that will remain etched in the conscience of humanity.” The submit described Francis as a “champion of the Palestinian cause” who referred to as for an finish to conflicts and “achievement of a just and lasting peace.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, additionally presented his condolences to Christians far and wide the arena at the passing of Pope Francis, in keeping with an NBC translation of a Telegram submit from Iran’s semiofficial information company Fars News.

Prime Minister of India Narenda Modi stated he used to be “deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis,” and that “his affection for the people of India will always be cherished.” 

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued a long and heartfelt submit on X, writing, “Today, humanity loses a voice of respect and acceptance of others,” and highlighting Francis’ efforts to carry the problems of local weather trade and financial inequality to the Vatican. He declared seven days of mourning in Brazil.

Caudia Sheinbaum, president of Mexico, referred to as Francis “a humanist who stood for the poor, peace, and equality” and who “left behind a great legacy of true love for one’s neighbor.”

“For Catholics and non-Catholics alike,” Sheinbaum added in her submit on X, “this is a great loss.” Brazil and Mexico are house to the arena’s biggest Catholic populations via nation.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon wrote on X that he used to be “saddened” to listen to of the Pope’s passing, and described his legacy as that of “an unwavering commitment to the vulnerable, to social justice and to interfaith dialogue.” 

Correction: Emmanuel Macron is president of France. An previous model misspelled his title.