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.”
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni receives Pope Francis as he arrives at the G7 Leaders Summit on day two of the 50th G7 summit at Borgo Egnazia on June 14, 2024 in Fasano, Italy.
Vatican Pool | Getty Images News | Getty Images
French President Emmanuel Macron, in a post on X, wrote: “From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest. May it unite people with each other and with nature. May this hope continually revive beyond him. My wife and I send our thoughts to all Catholics and to the grieving world.”
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof on X described Francis as ”in every way a man of the people.”
