‘A Beacon Of Compassion’: World And Religious Leaders React To Francis’ Death
Leaders from around the world offered condolences and tributes on Monday following the death of Pope Francis.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she “had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice and his teachings, which never failed even in moments of trial and suffering.”
In her post on X, Meloni said the 266th Roman pontiff had called the world to “seek the path of peace, pursue the common good and build a more just and equitable society. His teaching and his legacy will not be lost.”
READ: Pope Francis, First Latin American Pontiff, Dead At Age 88
President Donald Trump issued a message of his own, saying: “Rest in Peace Pope Francis. May God Bless him and all who loved him.”
The White House’s official X account posted two photos of the pope, one with Trump and his wife Melania, and the other with Vice President J.D. Vance, alongside a caption that read: “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis.”
Trump said all U.S. federal buildings would honor the pope by flying flags at half-mast.
Although ill, Francis continued to work and meet with officials as head of the Holy See. The pope’s last official meeting was with Vance on Easter Sunday, just a day before Francis’ death following a stroke and heart failure.
In a post on X, Vance wrote: “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.”
Francis, who was born in Argentina to Italian immigrants, was also remembered by Argentina’s President Javier Milei, who had clashed with the pope in the past.
“Despite differences that seem minor today, having been able to know him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honor for me. I bid farewell to the Holy Father and stand with all of us today dealing with this sad news,” he said.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, echoed those sentiments, saying Francis’ leadership was marked for his concern for “the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten.”
Pope Francis was remembered for his compassion following his death. (Photo courtesy of the Vatican)
Source of inspiration to Africa
The Francis papacy saw much growth in various parts of Africa, prompting Kenya’s President William Ruto to note that the pope “exemplified servant leadership through his humility, his unwavering commitment to inclusivity and justice and his deep compassion for the poor and the vulnerable.”
In nearby Ethiopia, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed mourned the pope’s death, saying “may his legacy of compassion, humility, and service to humanity continue to inspire generations to come.”
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is Muslim, said Pope Francis was “a steadfast advocate for the developing world.”
“He challenged the powerful to act with justice, called nations to welcome the stranger, and reminded us that our common home — this Earth — is a gift we must protect for future generations,” Tinubu said.
In South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement that Pope Francis was “a spiritual leader who sought to unite humanity and wished to see a world governed by fundamental human values.”
In a statement, the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar said Pope Francis “has been more than a shepherd to the universal church; he has been a profound source of inspiration, particularly for us in Africa.”
“His unwavering commitment to social justice, peace and the dignity of every human being resonated deeply with our continent's struggles and aspirations,” the statement from the African bishops added. “Throughout his papacy, he visited Africa, taking the time to understand our realities, listen to our stories and amplify our voices on the global stage. His visits to various countries on the continent brought hope and love to countless people and reaffirmed the church's commitment to being a family.”
Pope Francis during his Apostolic Journey to the United Arab Emirates in 2019. (Photo courtesy of Vatican Media)
Champion of compassion and interfaith dialogue
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, the leader of Orthodox Christians, said Pope Francis’ wish was for a greater unity with other Christians.
“He was a faithful friend and fellow traveler and supporter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and a genuine friend of Orthodox Christianity,” he said.
In a statement, King Charles III, who is also head of the Church of England, issued a statement from the royal family, saying that he and the Queen “will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ” and that Francis would be “remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith.”
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, a majority Hindu nation, also said Francis would be remembered as “a beacon of compassion” for the poor.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog sent condolences to Christian communities in his country and around the world.
“He rightly saw great importance in fostering strong ties with the Jewish world and in advancing interfaith dialogue,” Herzog wrote in an X post.
Francis’ focus on promoting interfaith dialogue was a theme of the rememberances. Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, said the relationship between the Catholic and Jewish communities “flourished under Pope Francis' guidance.”
“He honored the shared heritage of our faiths and took meaningful steps to heal historical wounds, reinforcing a path toward mutual respect and collaboration,” he added. “We especially appreciated Pope Francis’s consistent calls for dialogue and mutual respect between Israelis and Palestinians, emphasizing the necessity of a two-state solution that ensures security and self-determination for both peoples.”
Ronald S. Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, called Francis “a true moral leader, a man of deep faith and humanity and a steadfast friend to the Jewish people.”
“From his early years in Argentina to his papacy, Pope Francis was deeply committed to fostering interfaith dialogue and ensuring that the memory of the Holocaust remained a guiding lesson for future generations,” he added.
The Dalai Lama, head of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, said this pope had “dedicated himself to the service of others. … The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warm-hearted person, serving others wherever and in whatever way we can.”
From the Muslim world, Iraq’s Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, who met the pope four years ago in a historic meeting, said Francis was “greatly respected by all for his distinguished role in serving the causes of peace and tolerance and for expressing solidarity with the oppressed and persecuted across the globe.”
Clemente Lisi is the executive editor of Religion Unplugged.