{"id":38638,"date":"2025-04-21T15:22:07","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T15:22:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/38638\/"},"modified":"2025-04-21T15:22:07","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T15:22:07","slug":"a-man-of-the-people-world-reacts-to-the-death-of-pope-francis-religion-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/38638\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018A man of the people\u2019: World reacts to the death of Pope Francis | Religion News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pope Francis<\/a>, the first Latin American pontiff in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, has died aged 88<\/a>, the Vatican says.<\/p>\n

His death on Monday came shortly after a bout of double pneumonia that kept him hospitalised for five weeks at Rome\u2019s Gemelli Hospital.<\/p>\n

Just a day earlier<\/a>, the pontiff made what would be his final major appearance as he greeted thousands of Easter worshippers from an open-top Popemobile in St Peter\u2019s Square and delivered a blessing through an aide.<\/p>\n

The death of the 266th pope prompted tributes from across the world:<\/p>\n

Italy<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni mourned the loss of \u201ca great man, a great shepherd\u201d and expressed deep sorrow.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice, his teachings, which never ceased, not even during times of trial and suffering,\u201d she said. \u201cWe say goodbye to the holy father with a heart full of sadness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Italy\u2019s football authorities postponed matches scheduled for Monday.<\/p>\n

Argentina<\/p>\n

The presidency office \u201cdeeply regretted\u201d the death of the first Argentinian leader of the Catholic Church. President Javier Milei, who previously clashed with the pope, praised Francis\u2019s focus on interreligious dialogue, encouragement of spirituality among the young, and focus on cost-cutting in the Vatican.<\/p>\n

European Union<\/p>\n

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Francis\u2019s life was defined by his efforts to build a fairer and more peaceful world. \u201cHe inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

United States<\/p>\n

The White House shared a tribute on social media, writing \u201cRest in Peace, Pope Francis\u201d alongside a photo of the pope meeting President Donald Trump and the first lady. In a separate post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: \u201cRest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!\u201d<\/p>\n

Vice President JD Vance, who met the pope on Sunday, said: \u201cMy heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Russia<\/p>\n

President Vladimir Putin expressed his \u201csincere condolences\u201d, praising the efforts of Francis to strengthen ties between the Russian Orthodox and Catholic Churches. The Moscow Patriarchate echoed the sentiment, saying the late pontiff had played a key role in advancing dialogue between the two branches of Christianity.<\/p>\n

India<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: \u201cPope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope.\u201d<\/p>\n

France<\/p>\n

President Emmanuel Macron praised the late pontiff for his enduring solidarity with society\u2019s most vulnerable. \u201cIn this time of war and brutality, he had a sense for the other, for the most fragile,\u201d Macron said, commending his humility.<\/p>\n

Brazil<\/p>\n

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva hailed Pope Francis for his work on climate change and social justice. \u201cWith his simplicity, his courage and empathy, Francis brought the topic of climate change to the Vatican,\u201d he said. \u201cThe pope vigorously criticised the economic models that have brought so much injustice to humanity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mexico<\/p>\n

President Claudia Sheinbaum called the passing of Pope Francis a \u201cgreat loss\u201d, saying it was a \u201cgreat honour and privilege\u201d to have known him. \u201cA humanist who opted for the poor, peace and equality. He leaves a great legacy of true love for his neighbour. For Catholics and non-Catholics alike, it is a great loss,\u201d she wrote on X.<\/p>\n

South Africa<\/p>\n

President Cyril Ramaphosa said, \u201cCatholics and people of all faiths are saddened today by the passing of a spiritual leader who sought to unite humanity.\u201d He praised the pope\u2019s advocacy for inclusion, equality, and environmental stewardship.<\/p>\n

Palestinian Authority<\/p>\n

President Mahmoud Abbas called Francis a \u201cloyal friend of the Palestinian people\u201d and a \u201cstrong defender of peace, love and faith\u201d. He said the pope\u2019s support for Palestinian rights and justice never wavered, noting that Francis \u201crecognised the Palestinian state and authorised the Palestinian flag to be raised in the Vatican\u201d.<\/p>\n

Bangladesh<\/p>\n

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, leader of Bangladesh\u2019s interim government, called Pope Francis a \u201ctrue friend and kindred spirit\u201d. He recalled his \u201cprofound connection\u201d with the late pontiff, whom he described as a \u201ctowering figure of moral clarity, humility, and compassion in our time\u201d.<\/p>\n

Philippines<\/p>\n

In the Philippines, which boasts Asia\u2019s largest Catholic population, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr called Francis \u201cthe best pope in my lifetime\u201d, praising his humility, faith, and compassion for the poor. Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David expressed shock and urged churches to ring their bells and call people to pray for the pope\u2019s \u201ceternal repose\u201d.<\/p>\n

Poland<\/p>\n

Polish President Andrzej Duda hailed Francis as \u201ca great apostle of mercy\u201d, saying the pontiff\u2019s example offered answers to contemporary challenges. \u201cIn his pastoral ministry, he was guided by humility and simplicity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spain<\/p>\n

The European country has declared three days of mourning. Justice Minister Felix Bolanos said in a televised address that the country regrets \u201cthe death of a good man and a great pope\u201d and praised Francis\u2019s \u201creformist\u201d papacy that \u201cwill leave a legacy for history\u201d.<\/p>\n

Australia<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Francis would be mourned by Australians of all faiths, describing him as \u201ca devoted champion and loving father\u201d to Catholics. \u201cHis compassion embraced all humanity,\u201d Albanese told ABC News. \u201cHe urged us to hear the cry of the earth and remember all we share.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ethiopia<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the pope\u2019s passing was a loss not only for Catholics but for humanity. \u201cMay his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy of compassion, humility and service to humanity continue to inspire generations to come,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

East Timor<\/p>\n

President Jose Ramos-Horta described Francis\u2019s death as a global loss. He announced the nation\u2019s flags would be lowered to half-staff for a week with a mass to follow in tribute to the pope\u2019s life and service.<\/p>\n

Egypt<\/p>\n

Egypt\u2019s Coptic Orthodox Church mourned Pope Francis, calling him \u201ca true example of Christian humility\u201d.<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Friedrich Merz, Germany\u2019s chancellor-in-waiting, said Francis would be remembered for his unwavering commitment to marginalised groups. \u201cHe was guided by humility and faith in God\u2019s mercy,\u201d Merz wrote on X.<\/p>\n

Iran<\/p>\n

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged Francis\u2019s global spiritual influence. Spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran \u201cextends condolences to all Christians around the world\u201d.<\/p>\n

Tibet<\/p>\n

The Dalai Lama offered Buddhist prayers, writing to the papal envoy to \u201cexpress his sadness\u201d over the death. \u201cPope Francis dedicated himself to the service of others \u2026 consistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful life,\u201d he said in a statement from his base in exile in India. \u201cThe best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warm-hearted person, serving others wherever and in whatever way we can.\u201d<\/p>\n

United Kingdom<\/p>\n

King Charles said he was \u201cmost deeply saddened\u201d, praising Pope Francis\u2019s \u201ccompassion\u201d, commitment to unity, and the environment.<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his condolences, saying Francis\u2019s \u201ctireless efforts to promote a world that is fairer for all\u201d would be remembered.<\/p>\n

United Nations<\/p>\n

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hailed what he called Pope Francis\u2019s historic influence as a voice for peace and human dignity.<\/p>\n

\u201cI join the world in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a messenger of hope, humility and humanity,\u201d he said in a statement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, has died aged…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":38639,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[299,2194,837,3274,839,12,1490,1814,8547,19276,26],"class_list":{"0":"post-38638","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world","8":"tag-europe","9":"tag-gaza","10":"tag-israel","11":"tag-latin-america","12":"tag-middle-east","13":"tag-news","14":"tag-obituaries","15":"tag-palestine","16":"tag-religion","17":"tag-vatican","18":"tag-world"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114376641487410402","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38638","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38638"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38638\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38638"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}