Farewell to a pontiff: World leaders remember Pope Francis
World leaders are bidding farewell to Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday morning at the age of 88. Condolences have been shared by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, and J.D. Vance, the Vice President of the United States.
"Rest in peace, Pope Francis" – reads the official White House account on X. The post included two photos of the Pope: one with U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania, and another with Vice President J.D. Vance, who met with the Pope in an audience just yesterday, Easter Sunday.
J.D. Vance himself, shortly after learning about the Pope's death, wrote on X:
"I just learned 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."
French President Emmanuel Macron was one of the first world leaders to pay tribute to Pope Francis. "Pope Francis was a man of humility, standing alongside the most vulnerable and weak," declared Macron, as quoted by the BBC. He added on platform X that he offers his "most sincere condolences to Catholics worldwide".
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated: "Pope Francis has returned to the Father's house. It is very sad news because a great man has left us."
"I had the honour of enjoying his friendship, advice, and teachings, which never ceased, even in times of trial and suffering," Meloni emphasized.
World leaders respond to the death of the Pope
"I just learned 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," wrote Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament.
"Today, the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis," wrote European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, adding, "He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate."
"My thoughts are with all who feel this profound loss. May they find solace in the idea that Pope Francis’ legacy will continue to guide us all toward a more just, peaceful and compassionate world."
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is "deeply saddened" by the death of Pope Francis.
Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi conveyed that Pope Francis "was a voice of peace, love, and compassion."
Leaders of British political parties praised the bravery and leadership of Pope Francis, emphasized the BBC. The Jesuits in the United Kingdom say they are "grateful for the gift of Pope Francis's leadership".
The Moscow Patriarchate claims that Pope Francis played a "significant role in the active development of contacts between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church" – reported the Russian news agency TASS.
