Church bells tolled throughout Rome, and tributes have been pouring in from leaders all over the world after the Vatican on Monday introduced the death at age 88 of Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church since 2013.
Francis made his final public look at St. Peter’s Sq. on Easter Sunday, after a chronic hospitalization as a result of a respiratory subject that had developed into double pneumonia.
Earlier than his dying, Francis on Sunday additionally met briefly with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who’s Catholic, on the Vatican. (Francis had beforehand criticized the Trump Administration’s immigration insurance policies.)
Vance posted on X early Monday that he had simply discovered of the Pope’s passing, and he shared a hyperlink to a March 2020 homily that he mentioned he would keep in mind him by. “I used to be completely happy to see him yesterday, although he was clearly very in poor health,” Vance famous. “My coronary heart goes out to the thousands and thousands of Christians all around the world who liked him.”
The White Home additionally posted “Relaxation in Peace, Pope Francis” on X, alongside photographs of President Donald Trump and First Woman Melania Trump meeting with Francis in 2017 and Vance’s current assembly.
President Javier Milei of Argentina, the place Francis was initially from, posted on X, “It’s with profound sorrow that I discovered this unhappy morning that Pope Francis, Jorge Bergoglio, handed away at this time and is now resting in peace.”
Born in Buenos Aires in 1936, Francis turned the primary Argentinian pope. However he by no means visited his homeland throughout his papacy, partly out of concern that he would face political pressures, though he raised the opportunity of returning final yr. “I’m fearful as a result of the persons are struggling lots. It’s a tough second for the nation,” he mentioned in an interview on an Italian program on Jan. 14, 2024. He met with Milei on the Vatican in February final yr.
“Regardless of variations that appear minor at this time, having been capable of know him in his kindness and knowledge was a real honor for me,” Milei added in his tribute.
Micheál Martin, Eire’s taoiseach, additionally issued an announcement on social media to increase his condolences. Martin celebrated Francis’ “lengthy and distinguished papacy” and “unwavering dedication to the rules of compassion, peace, and human dignity. He spoke out for the poor, the marginalised, and the oppressed. His solidarity with refugees, his requires local weather motion, and his insistence on world peace and equality set him aside as a champion of justice within the trendy world.”
Martin added that the late Pope holds “a particular place within the hearts of the Irish folks,” citing a go to to Eire in August 2018, the place Francis expressed ache and disgrace about historic baby abuse within the Catholic Church.
“I had the honour of assembly Pope Francis in Dublin Fort throughout that go to and was impressed by his imaginative and prescient of a Catholic Church that’s open, compassionate, and targeted on the wants of probably the most weak,” Martin added. “He shared with us his deep concern with the problems of social justice and human rights, and his profound dedication to assuaging struggling. Pope Francis’s legacy is his message of peace, reconciliation, and solidarity that lives within the hearts of these he impressed. Could he relaxation in peace, and will his reminiscence proceed to information us as we attempt to construct a world that displays his imaginative and prescient of affection and compassion for all.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in an announcement, “Pope Francis was a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten. He was near the realities of human fragility, assembly Christians all over the world going through battle, famine, persecution and poverty. But he by no means misplaced the faith-fuelled hope of a greater world.”
“Together with his dying, we’re reminded as soon as extra of his name to look after each other throughout completely different faiths, backgrounds, nations and beliefs,” Starmer added.
King Charles additionally shared a message on X: “His Holiness shall be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless dedication to the widespread causes of all folks of religion, and to these of goodwill who work for the advantage of others. … The Queen and I keep in mind with specific affection our conferences with His Holiness through the years and we have been enormously moved to have been capable of go to him earlier within the month.”
“From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wished the Church to convey pleasure and hope to the poorest. To unite People with one another and with nature. Could this hope perpetually rise past him,” French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X.
Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament, posted on X: “Europe mourns the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. His contagious smile captured thousands and thousands of individuals’s hearts throughout the globe. ‘The Folks’s Pope’ shall be remembered for his love for all times, hope for peace, compassion for equality & social justice.”
“At this time, the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis,” Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Fee, posted on X. “He impressed thousands and thousands, far past the Catholic Church, together with his humility and love so pure for the much less lucky. My ideas are with all who really feel this profound loss. Could they discover solace in the concept Pope Francis’ legacy will proceed to information us all towards a extra simply, peaceable and compassionate world.”
“Francis shall be remembered for his tireless dedication to the weakest in society, to justice and reconciliation. Humility and religion in God’s mercy guided him on this,” Friedrich Merz, Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting, posted on X in German. “In doing so, the primary Latin American to sit down on the Holy See touched folks worldwide, throughout denominational boundaries. My ideas presently are with the trustworthy all over the world who’ve misplaced their Holy Father.”
Narendra Modi, India’s Prime Minister, additionally posted a message on X, which included a photograph of him and Francis collectively: “Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis,” Modi mentioned, including: “I fondly recall my conferences with him and was enormously impressed by his dedication to inclusive and all-round growth. His affection for the folks of India will all the time be cherished. Could his soul discover everlasting peace in God’s embrace.”
Filippo Grandi, the United Nations Excessive Commissioner for Refugees, posted on X: “You stood up and spoke out—relentlessly—for the poor, the persecuted, the victims of battle, the refugees, the migrants. Could you proceed to present us religion and braveness on this brutal world.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X, “Tens of millions of individuals all over the world are mourning the tragic information of Pope Francis’s passing. His life was dedicated to God, to folks, and to the Church. He knew the right way to give hope, ease struggling via prayer, and foster unity. He prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians. We grieve along with Catholics and all Christians who appeared to Pope Francis for religious help. Everlasting reminiscence!”
Francis was outspoken in his stance in opposition to battle and appeals for peace, together with calling for ceasefires in Ukraine and Gaza. “In Ukraine, rivers of blood and tears are flowing. This isn’t only a navy operation however a battle which sows dying, destruction and distress,” he said on March 6, 2022 in regards to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his condolences on the Pope’s dying on Monday, based on Reuters. “All through the years of his hold forth, he actively promoted the event of dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church buildings, in addition to constructive cooperation between Russia and the Holy See,” Putin mentioned.
Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto posted on X, “It is a large loss to the Catholic trustworthy and the Christian world. Pope Francis shall be remembered for a life devoted to serving the Lord, the Church, and humanity. … His sturdy moral and ethical convictions impressed thousands and thousands the world over, no matter religion or background.”
