Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday. He was 88, and had suffered a serious bout of double pneumonia.
Following are reactions to his death:
U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
"He was a good man, worked hard. He loved the world, and it's an honor to do that," Trump said at an Easter event at the White House, referring to his order that flags across the country be flown at half-staff to honor Pope Francis' memory.
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.
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."
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."
FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
"Pope Francis was the rare leader who made us want to be better people. In his humility and his gestures, at once simple and profound - embracing the sick, ministering to the homeless, washing the feet of young prisoners - he shook us out of our complacency and reminded us that we are all bound by moral obligations to God and one another."
UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES
"Pope Francis was a transcendent voice for peace, human dignity and social justice. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, service and compassion for all - especially those left on the margins of life or trapped by the horrors of conflict."
"Pope Francis also understood that protecting our common home is, at heart, a deeply moral mission and responsibility that belongs to every person. His Papal Encyclical - Laudato Si – was a major contribution to the global mobilization that resulted in the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change."
INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE PRESIDENT THOMAS BACH
"Throughout my tenure as IOC President, I have drawn great strength from (Pope Francis') constant encouragement of the Olympic Games and our mission to build a better world through sport. His powerful voice in support of refugees is a shining example of his commitment, and it inspired me to create the first-ever Refugee Olympic Team for the Olympic Games Rio 2016.
He has graciously followed and supported this initiative throughout three Olympic Games editions, encouraging its growth and impact."
CARDINAL TIMOTHY DOLAN, ARCHBISHOP OF NEW YORK
"I join with people all over the world, not only Catholics, but people of all faiths or none at all, in mourning the passing of our beloved Pope Francis this morning."
"How appropriate that his last public appearance was on Easter Sunday, as we celebrated the joy of the resurrection of Jesus whom Pope Francis loved so deeply and so well, and right after our Jewish brothers and sisters, for whom Pope Francis had such great love, concluded their celebration of Passover."
MEXICAN PRESIDENT CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM
"A humanist who stood for the poor, peace, and equality. He left behind a great legacy of true love for one's neighbor. For Catholics and non-Catholics alike, this is a great loss. Knowing him was a great honor and privilege. May he rest in peace."
HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR ORBAN
"We mourn the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis... - a shepherd who led with courage and unwavering faith... We will honour his legacy. May he rest in eternal peace."
COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT GUSTAVO PETRO
"I have lost a great friend. I feel alone ... His encyclicals will go down in history if we are capable of building a humanity which defends its greatest good: life.
Forever: Francisco."
BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA
"Humanity is today losing a voice of respect and welcome for others. Pope Francis lived and propagated in his daily life the love, tolerance and solidarity that are the basis of Christian teachings."
CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER MARK CARNEY
"Through his teachings and actions, Pope Francis redefined the moral responsibilities of leadership in the 21st century."
"His Holiness understood, and taught, that value in the market must never eclipse values in society ... Pope Francis leaves a spiritual and ethical legacy that will shape our collective conscience for generations to come."
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."
JORDAN'S KING ABDULLAH
"Deepest condolences to our Christian brothers and sisters around the world. Pope Francis was admired by all as the Pope of the People. He brought people together, leading with kindness, humility, and compassion. His legacy will live on in his good deeds and teachings."
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.
Reuters
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