Tributes and condolences poured in from around the world following news of the death of Pope Francis, who died on Monday at the age of 88.
Francis, who was elected the Catholic Church’s 266th pope after the retirement of Benedict XVI in 2013, was the first Jesuit pope and the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere, born in Argentina to Italian-Argentinian parents.
He made waves during his papacy as a reformer who often rattled the church’s most conservative quarters, but found popularity among progressives who embraced his championing of social justice and support for marginalized groups.
Francis’ last official meeting was with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Easter Sunday, just one day before his passing.
In a post 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 official X account posted two photos of the pope, one with President Donald Trump and his wife Melania, and the other with Vance, alongside a caption that read: “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis.”
Trump on his Truth Social account, meanwhile, 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 official Facebook account that read: “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.”
