22 Posts

Filipino President Bongbong Marcos said Pope Francis was a “man of profound faith and humility,” who led “not only with wisdom but a heart open to all, especially the poor and the forgotten.”

Key context: Nearly four in five Filipinos are Catholic, according to the country’s latest census, in 2020.

“Pope Francis taught us that to be a good Christian is to extend kindness and care to one another,” Marcos added in a statement on Facebook.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is grieving with Catholics around the world following the death of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday.

“He knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer, and foster unity. He prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians,” Zelensky said in a statement on X.

Zelensky last met Francis in October, during a visit to the Vatican. The Ukrainian leader said the pair had discussed the plight of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children deported to Russia since Moscow’s full-scale invasion, and the need to make “all possible endeavors” to bring them home.

Francis was a consistent critic of Russia’s invasion. On the first anniversary of Russia’s war, Francis called on Catholics to pray for Ukrainians, saying: “Let us not be ashamed to suffer and weep, for war is destruction, a war always diminishes us.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has paid tribute to Pope Francis in a message addressed to Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the Vatican’s camerlengo — the acting head of the church until a new pope is elected.

Putin expressed his “most sincere condolences” and praised the Pope as “a faithful servant of Christian doctrine, a wise religious and statesman, and a consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice,” in a message published by the Kremlin Monday.

Putin also mentioned Francis’s role in fostering dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches and for strengthening ties between Russia and the Holy See.

“I had the opportunity to communicate with this outstanding person on many occasions, and I will forever cherish the brightest memory of him,” Putin said.

Speaking during a press briefing Monday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Putin and Pope Francis had met many times and “had great respect for each other.”

Pope Francis will be the first pope in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican. Although popes are usually buried in the grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City, Francis’ final resting place will be the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore on the other side of the River Tiber in Rome.

He revealed his plans to break with tradition and be buried there in December 2023, explaining that he felt a “very strong connection” with the basilica, which he used to visit on Sunday mornings to honor the Virgin Mary.

“I want to be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore,” Francis said. “Because it is my great devotion.”

Although seven other popes are buried in Santa Maria Maggiore, Francis will be the first since Leo XIII, who died in 1903, not to be buried in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The basilica was the only place, other than a visit to a Rome prison to show his solidarity with inmates, that Pope Francis went to outside the Vatican after his hospital stay, Vatican analyst Katie McGrady pointed out.

“It is where the Salus Populi Romani, his favorite Marian image is kept and that image of Our Lady, Pope Francis would go and visit before every trip and he would visit it on his return,” she said.

Pope Francis’ death follows a decline in his health during the final years of his papacy.

The 88-year-old pontiff, who as a young man had a small part of one lung removed, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 after experiencing bronchitis symptoms. A subsequent CT scan led to a diagnosis of pneumonia in both lungs. His condition stablized and, five weeks later, the pontiff was allowed to return to the Vatican to continue his recovery.

However, after leaving hospital the pontiff was unable to speak for long periods due to his respiratory difficulties and underwent physiotherapy to help regain his voice. He also had difficulty raising his arms and wore a nasal cannula to receive oxygen.

When he was younger, the Argentine leader endured severe pneumonia and had part of his right lung removed. Earlier this year, he suffered two falls and had been seen with a walking stick or using a wheelchair to help his mobility, restricted by pain in his knee.

Throughout his papacy, he had to cancel a few trips due to ill health. In 2022, he canceled a trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan after doctors said he might also have to miss a later trip to Canada for a knee injury. In 2023, the Vatican also said he was suffering from lung inflammation, which prevented him fulfilling some commitments, including attending COP28 climate talks in Dubai.

Francis also suffered from diverticulitis, a common condition that can cause inflammation or infection of the colon. In 2021, he had surgery to remove part of his colon.

In December 2022, Francis revealed that he had already signed his resignation letter to be used in the event of him becoming “impaired.” Francis made the comment in an interview with Spanish news outlet ABC, when asked what would happen if a pope was suddenly rendered unable to perform his duties due to health issues or an accident.

The day before he died, Pope Francis received a visit from a world leader with whom he’d recently tangled on the issue of immigration.

US Vice President JD Vance, who appears to have been the last world leader Francis met before his death, sat briefly with the pope in a reception room at the Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican guesthouse where he has lived since his election in 2013.

Vance was on Vatican grounds on Sunday for less than 20 minutes, and the meeting hadn’t been confirmed ahead of time.

During their short session, he pope gifted the vice president a tie, rosaries and three big chocolate Easter eggs for Vance’s three children.

Vance, who has called himself a “baby Catholic” after converting to the faith as an adult, had sparred from afar with Francis on the issue of mass deportations. But those differences didn’t appear to arise Sunday during their short meeting.

“I pray for you every day,” Vance could be heard telling the Pontiff as they sat together at the Vatican.

CNN’s Christopher Lamb contributed reporting

Britain’s King Charles III has paid tribute to Pope Francis, saying that he and his wife, Queen Camilla, were “most deeply saddened” to learn of the pope’s death, but that he was glad Francis “was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church” on Sunday, a day before his death.

“His Holiness will 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, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others. His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world,” Charles said, according to Buckingham Palace.

Charles said he and Camilla were “greatly moved” to have been able to visit Francis just days before his death, during a state visit to Italy to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also paid tribute, saying: “His leadership in a complex and challenging time for the world and the church was often courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility.”

“Pope Francis was a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten. He was close to the realities of human fragility, meeting Christians around the world facing war, famine, persecution and poverty.”

The death of Pope Francis on Monday morning would have come as a shock to many, after he made a few high-profile appearances over the Easter weekend.

Easter is the most important festival in the Christian calendar and while Francis did not lead the main Holy Week and Easter services, he did make brief appearances.

On Thursday, Francis spent 30 minutes at a prison in Rome.

On Saturday, the pontiff visited St. Peters Basilica in the evening.

On Sunday, he delighted crowds after giving the traditional Easter blessing from the balcony of St. Peters Basilica.

He offered the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing to the “City [of Rome] and to the World” while an aide read his address. Only the pope can offer this blessing which includes the offer of an indulgence, a remission for the effect of sins. His voice sounded weak but he appeared without the nasal canula he has been wearing to receive oxygen as he said “Brothers and Sisters, Happy Easter.”

He later greeted cheering crowds in St. Peter’s Square from the popemobile, the first time he had done so since his hospitalization.

Earlier on Easter Sunday, before giving the blessing, Francis had a private meeting with US Vice President JD Vance.

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Catholic world has “lost an exceptional leader” following the death of Pope Francis.

“Pope Francis’ long and distinguished papacy was marked by his unwavering commitment to the principles of compassion, peace, and human dignity. He spoke out for the poor, the marginalised, and the oppressed,” Martin said in a statement.

“His solidarity with refugees, his calls for climate action, and his insistence on global peace and equality set him apart as a champion of justice in the modern world.”

Martin said Francis holds “a special place in the hearts of the Irish people,” recalling the pontiff’s 2018 visit — just the second visit to the country by a pope in the church’s history.

Over 3.5 million people living in Ireland reported that their religion was Roman Catholic, according to the 2022 census, accounting for 69% of the population.

The White House has shared an initial memorial post for the late Pope Francis, writing on X “Rest in Peace” alongside photos of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance meeting the Pontiff.

Trump met Francis at the Vatican in 2017, while Vance met Francis briefly on Sunday, just one day before his death.

Church bells across Rome began to ring after the Vatican announced Pope Francis’ death on Monday morning.

The pope’s death comes as most Italians have the day off work as Easter Monday is a national holiday in Italy. Many Italians traditionally spend the day meeting with family and friends and gather for picnics. It’s likely that many will be reconsidering their plans in light of the pontiff’s passing.

Put simply, the camerlengo — or chamberlain — is the acting head of the Vatican in the period between the death or resignation of a pope and appointment of the next leader of the Catholic Church.

It’s the camerlengo’s job to “officially ascertain the Pope’s death,” draw up the death certificate, place seals on the pope’s bedroom and study and make funeral preparations.

The camerlengo is also tasked with making practical arrangements for the conclave, to ensure the confidentiality of proceedings and orderly voting.

The camerlengo’s powers are limited to the day-to-day administration of the Vatican and he chairs a committee of three other cardinals as he carries out his duties. When serious matters arise, he must consult with the wider body of cardinals.

Pope Francis was elected in 2013 after Benedict XVI retired. He was the first Latin American pope in history and the first from the Americas.

Before he was pope, he was Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos Aires.

See more photos from Pope Francis’ life

French President Emmanuel Macron has paid tribute to Pope Francis, saying: “From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest. To unite people with one another and with nature. May this hope be resurrected unceasingly beyond him,” Macron said in a statement.

Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz said “the death of Pope Francis fills me with great sadness. Francis will be remembered for his tireless commitment to the weakest members of society, to justice and reconciliation,” in a statement.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sent a message of condolences, saying the pope “inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply pained” by the passing of the pope. “In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world,” he said.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his “deepest condolences to the Christian world,” remembering the pope as “a man of deep faith and boundless compassion” who “saw great importance in fostering strong ties with the Jewish world and in advancing interfaith dialogue.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a national televised address that all flags would fly at half-mast on government buildings Tuesday as a sign of respect for the late pontiff. “For Australian Catholics, he was a devoted champion and loving father,” Albanese said. “Pope Francis lived out his faith and vocation in word and deed. He was truly inspirational.”

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Francis was “a man of humility, his legacy includes an unwavering commitment to the vulnerable, to social justice and to interfaith dialogue.”

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Francis was “a pioneer of interfaith harmony, peace, and the promotion of humanity,” calling his passing “an irreparable loss to the entire world.”

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun said Francis’ death was “loss for all humanity, as he was a powerful voice for justice and peace, a champion of the poor and marginalized, and an advocate for dialogue between various religions and cultures.”

Malta’s President Myriam Spiteri Debono said that Francis “will be remembered for his humility, the particular attention he gave during his term to the poor and marginalized, and his continuous work for international peace and reconciliation between peoples.”

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk paid tribute to the pope on X, calling him a “good, warm and sensitive man.”

US Vice President JD Vance, who met with Francis hours before his death, said he was “happy to see” the pope on Easter Sunday, “though he was obviously very ill.”

“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,” Vance said Monday in a post on X.

“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.”

Pope Francis had a private meeting with Vance, a devout Catholic, on Sunday. A day earlier, Francis had criticized the Trump administration’s immigration policy.

Pope Francis spent his final days in service of the church, participating as much as he could in the celebration of Easter, the high point of the Christian calendar.

The 88-year-old pontiff did not lead the main Holy Week and Easter services but has made brief appearances over the weekend, including spending 30 minutes at a prison in Rome on Thursday and making a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday evening.

And then on Sunday morning, he was able to offer the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing to the “City [of Rome] and to the World” while an aide read his address. Only the pope can offer this blessing which includes the offer of an indulgence, a remission for the effect of sins.

He later greeted cheering crowds in St. Peter’s Square from the popemobile, the first time he has done so since his hospitalization. He also met briefly with US Vice President JD Vance, who is the last foreign civic dignitary to have met with Pope Francis.

“It is quite extraordinary that after the highest point of the church’s liturgical year, at the highest point, the Pope then passes on and it’s, in some ways quite fitting, because of course the Easter message is all about the death and new life,” said CNN Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb from Rome.

“The last days of Francis were really dedicated to serving the church, to continuing his ministry right until the end. He did not resign, as some people speculated (he would). He always signaled his determination to go until the end, to serve until the very last moment.”

Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio to Italian migrants in Buenos Aires in 1936, was the first Latin American and member of the Jesuit order to be elected pope in the church’s 2,000-year history. He was also the first pope to call himself Francis.

The Argentinian pontiff quickly gained a reputation as a modernizer, with an outward-facing approach which saw him speak out boldly on humanitarian crises, such as migration, war and climate change.

He sought to reform the church by tackling elitist mentalities among the clergy, demanding a compassionate approach to divorced and gay Catholics and insisting that the church welcome everyone.

He took a series of measures to clean up financial corruption in the Vatican, and to tackle the scourge of clerical sexual abuse, including laws to hold bishops accountable for cover-ups. Francis also sought an enlarged role for women working in the Vatican and authorized priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples.

He built bridges with the Muslim world, while seeking to play the role of peacemaker in the face of global conflicts, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East.

His reforms saw him face unprecedented resistance from ultra-conservatives inside the church, although progressive Catholics felt he should have gone further in allowing the ordination of married men as priests, shifting official teaching on homosexuality and giving a greater space for women in ministry.

Despite taking a series of tough measures, Francis also failed to quell the scandal of child sexual abuse and other forms of abuse that have plagued the Catholic Church — a disgrace that he made his personal responsibility to end, but which continued to damage the institutional church in multiple countries throughout his papacy.

The death of Pope Francis has triggered a period of a mourning in the Vatican and signals the start of a millennia-old process of picking a new pontiff.

It is a procedure steeped in tradition, but one which has been subtly updated for the modern world.

The “Papal Interregnum” — the period between the death of one pope and the election of another — began when Francis passed away.

Cardinals must now decide exactly when the funeral can take place, and after that, when conclave can begin. But much of the timeline is predetermined; the pope’s death triggered the start of nine days of mourning known as the Novendiales, and the pope must be buried between the fourth and sixth day after death.

The body of the pope must also be displayed at St. Peter’s Basilica for mourning, and a mass will take place on each day. Mourners lined up for miles to see the body of Pope John Paul II, the last serving pope to die, in 2005.

Then, all cardinals under the age of 80 will convene in the Vatican to pick Francis’ successor.

It typically takes between two and three weeks for a pope to be chosen, following the death of his predecessor, though it can stretch slightly beyond that if cardinals struggle to agree on a candidate.

Read more about what happens next.

The pope’s death was announced on Monday morning by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo.

“Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” a statement from the camerlengo said.

“At 7:35 this morning the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His whole life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.”

Farrell continued, “He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised.”

“With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the Triune God,” the statement concluded.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires to parents of Italian descent. The oldest of five children, the pope often recalled fond memories of a close-knit family and of how his Italian grandmother shaped his faith.

His grandparents narrowly escaped a deadly shipwreck when they migrated from Italy to Argentina, an experience that no doubt influenced his advocacy for those making perilous journeys across the Mediterranean in search of a better life in Europe.

When he was 16, Bergoglio had a profound experience during confession which convinced him to train for the priesthood.

He entered the seminary but three years later started training to become a Jesuit, the religious order renowned for its missionary work.

His leadership abilities were recognized and in 1973, at the young age of 36, he was appointed head of the Jesuit order in Argentina, a position he would hold until 1979.

He became the Bishop of Rome in 2013, setting the tone for his pontificate on the night of his election.

“Let us pray for the whole world, that there may be a great spirit of fraternity,” he said from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

He stayed true to those words, encouraging all people, no matter their religion or race, to remember their common humanity. Francis was a bridge builder, seeking to work with all faiths and denominations.

Read more about Pope Francis’ life.