Following the news of Pope Francis’ death, world leaders are expressing deep regret and honoring his legacy. Pope Francis, known for his humility, compassion and fight for the most vulnerable, has left an indelible mark on the global stage.
French President Emmanuel Macron is one of the first world leaders to pay tribute to Pope Francis, calling him “a man of humility, on the side of the most vulnerable and fragile”.
Italian Prime Minister Đorđa Meloni said that the news of the death of Pope Francis deeply saddened her.
“I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship,” Meloni said and added that the pope once again called on the world to have the courage to change direction, to follow a path that does not destroy, but nurtures, repairs and protects.
“His teaching and legacy will not be lost. We greet the Holy Father with hearts full of sorrow, but we know he is now in the peace of the Lord,” Meloni said, according to the BBC.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez praised Pope Francis’s commitment to the most vulnerable.
“I am saddened by the death of Pope Francis. His commitment to peace, social justice and the most vulnerable leaves a profound legacy. Rest in peace,” Sanchez wrote in a post on the social network X.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed her condolences over the pope’s death, saying he had inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and pure love for the less fortunate.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply affected by Pope Francis’ death.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk remembered Pope Francis as, he described him as a kind, warm and sensitive man.
Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi said Pope Francis was a voice of peace, love and compassion.
The White House paid tribute to the pope in a post on the social network X.
“Rest in peace, Pope Francis,” the White House announced alongside a photo of the pope with US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania, and a photo of the pope with US Vice President JD Vance.
“My heart goes out to the millions of Christians around the world who loved him,” Vance wrote.
Vance arrived in Rome on Friday and met with Vatican officials on Saturday. He also had a brief private meeting with Pope Francis.
Vance arrived in Rome on Friday and met with Vatican officials on Saturday. He also had a brief private meeting with Pope Francis.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte offered his condolences on the death of Pope Francis, noting that his commitment to peace and compassion inspired millions.
“We regret the death of Pope Francis. His commitment to peace and compassion inspired millions. My deepest condolences to the Catholic community and all those touched by his humanity,” Rutte wrote on Iks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram of condolences to the Vatican on the death of Pope Francis and highlighted the Pope’s active contribution to the development of dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.
Putin stressed that Pope Francis had great “international prestige, as a faithful servant of Christian teaching, a wise cleric and statesman, and a consistent defender of the great values of humanism and justice.”
“I had the opportunity to communicate with this extraordinary man many times and I will always have him in the fondest memory,” Putin said.
Pope Francis died this morning in the Vatican, after a long battle with respiratory and kidney diseases.
Rome police announced that they are taking security measures after the death of the head of the Roman Catholic Church.
