Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes from leaders across Asia about the death of Pope Francis.
Modi said in a post on X that he was “deeply pained” by the pontiff’s death. “His affection for the people of India will always be cherished,” he added.
Pakistan’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, expressed “profound condolences,” while noting that Francis was an “exemplary character” who “served as a beacon not only for the Christian world but also for adherents of all faiths.”
Ferdinand Marcos, the president of the Philippines, which has a large Roman Catholic population, said in a post on Instagram that Francis was “a man of profound faith and humility.”
Meanwhile, in Taiwan, President Lai Ching-te said in a post on X that those mourning Francis would “continue to draw inspiration from his lifelong commitment to peace, global solidarity, and caring for those in need.”
Singapore’s minister for foreign affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan, also said in a post on X that Francis left “indelible memories for everyone who has met him,” recalling the pope’s trip to the island last September.
At 9:20 a.m. this morning, the hubbub of Wall Street quieted as the New York Stock Exchange observed a moment of silence in honor of Pope Francis.
Staffers on the exchange floor were seen standing in silence, many with heads bowed and eyes closed for one minute to pay their respects to the pontiff.
Richard Drew / AP
Reporting from Vatican City
They do not share the same faith, but Imran and Rasel Mohammad told NBC News they wanted to pay their respects to Francis.
“We’re Muslim, but Pope Francis was a point of reference for us too,” Imran said, adding that they had been living in Albano Laziale, a small community to the south of Rome, for several years.
Rasel Mohammad, left, and Al Imran.NBC News
Reporting from Vatican City
After descending the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica, Marina Federici, 57, and his partner, Alessandro Calzetta, 53, said they were “speechless for several minutes in front of the TV as soon as we heard the news of Pope Francis’ death.”
“We had other plans for today, but we didn’t hesitate to change them to come here,” he said. “Even though I’m not Catholic, Pope Francis made me feel included.”
Federici said Francis “achieved what so many politicians couldn’t — attention and care for peace.”
“He was a mediator,” she added. “With his death, an era comes to an end.”
Prayers will be held for Francis at Buenos Aires’ Metropolitan Cathedral, the city’s archdiocese said in a statement on Facebook.
The pontiff’s “entire life has been devoted to the service of the Lord and His Church,” it said in a statement.
“He taught us to live out the Gospel values with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and marginalized,” it added.
Francis served as the cardinal archbishop of the Argentine capital before he became pope.
The Dalai Lama has written to the pope’s ambassador to India, Leopoldo Girelli, to “express his sadness on learning that His Holiness Pope Francis has passed away,” his office said in a statement.
Offering his prayers and condolences to the pope’s followers around the world, the Tibetan spiritual leader added that Francis had “dedicated himself to the service of others…consistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful life.”
“The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warm-hearted person, serving others wherever and in whatever way we can,” he added.
The Tibetan community will hold a memorial service at the main Tibetan temple of Tsuglagkhang in Dharamsala later today, his office said.
The transfer of Francis’ body to St. Peter’s Basilica may take place Wednesday morning to allow his worshippers to pay their respects, the Vatican said.
The procedures will be “determined and communicated tomorrow, following the first Congregation of Cardinals,” Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See Press Office, said in a statement.
Reporting from Vatican City
Some speak Italian, others English, French or Spanish. Dozens of different languages blend together in the long line of people filling Via di Porta Angelica, the straight road leading from the Ottaviano metro station to St. Peter’s Square.
“It’s not much longer than usual,” murmur a few passersby who seem to be locals, while others, overheated by the sun, even though the sky is not completely clear, try to figure out how to join the line of people waiting to enter St. Peter’s Basilica.
“The queue is moving quickly,” says Rosalba Sinatra, 61, a primary school teacher who arrived just a few hours earlier from Sicily. “I had already planned the trip to Rome,” she explains as she moves closer to the entrance.
“When I heard about Pope Francis’s death, I came right away. I just want to say a prayer for him. He was a person dear to humanity,” she said.
Behind her, 13-year-old Eduardo Sánchez waits with his mother, 50-year-old Lucia Mejía, to cross through the Holy Door. They’ve come from Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico, and will spend three days in the capital: Today is dedicated to Pope Francis. “He was a key figure for all Catholics and for our family in particular,” says Eduardo translating his mother’s words.
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem said in a statement that it joined “with all the churches and the world to express their deepest condolences and sympathy,” about the passing of Pope Francis.
“May eternal rest and perpetual light be granted to him by the Lord,” it said in a statement.
Before his death, Francis regularly highlighted the plight of Palestinians living in Gaza and was in regular contact with the enclave’s Christian community.
Francis also made near-nightly calls to Gabriele Romanelli, parish priest at the Holy Family parish in the north of the enclave, Vatican News said in February.
Priests erect a portrait of Pope Francis at the Church Of The Holy Sepulchre today in Jerusalem.Amir Levy / Getty Images
Some of the faithful prayed at Basilica San Jose de Flores in Buenos Aires today, the church where Pope Francis was inspired to consecrate his life to God and the Catholic Church.
Luis Robayo / AFP – Getty Images
Luis Robaya / AFP – Getty Images
Luis Robayo / AFP – Getty Images
Wall Street will go quiet this morning, as the New York Stock Exchange will observe a one-minute moment of silence at 9:20 a.m. “to honor the life and service of Pope Francis.”
“The NYSE community thoughts are with those throughout the world mourning the passing of Pope Francis,” the stock exchange said in a statement.
The Eiffel Tower will go dark tonight in tribute to Pope Francis, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said in a post on Facebook.
The pontiff “never ceased to embody a universal message of solidarity, peace and humanity. His commitment to a Church reaching out to the most vulnerable and his fight for human dignity will have marked our time,” Hidalgo said.
Recalling a private meeting she had with Francis two years ago, she said he told her that everyone should act “to provide a future for humanity and those who are voiceless, who are deprived of their rights.”
Former President Barack Obama paid tribute to Pope Francis this morning, remembering him as a “rare leader who made us want to be better people.”
“In his humility and his gestures at once simple and profound — embracing the sick, ministering to the homeless, washing the feet of young prisoners — he shook us out of our complacency and reminded us that we are all bound by moral obligations to God and one another,” Obama wrote on social media, sharing a photo shaking hands with the pontiff.
President Obama and Pope Francis at the White House in 2015. Andrew Harnik / AP file
He and his wife, Michelle Obama, are mourning with the world and those “who drew strength and inspiration from the Pope’s example,” Obama said.
“May we continue to heed his call to ‘never remain on the sidelines of this march of living hope,'” he concluded.
President Donald Trump currently has “no travel plans at this time” to attend services for Pope Francis, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
“Doesn’t mean it’s not happening. I just don’t have anything to share,” she added, speaking with reporters on the White House driveway.
Speaking on Fox News this morning, Leavitt said: “I spoke to the vice president’s team this morning, and they expressed how excited and grateful they were for the opportunity to have met with the pope just yesterday. And of course, we know the pope has gone to be with the Lord this morning, and I spoke to the president about that as well.”
“It’s a solemn day for Catholics around the world, and we are praying for all those who love the pope and believed in him,” she added.
From working as a bouncer at a Buenos Aires nightclub to presiding over the Vatican, the path Pope Francis forged as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church was as unlikely as it was unprecedented.
Francis, who died Monday at age 88, was keen to flex his muscles as supreme pontiff. He angered some Catholic Church traditionalists by reaching out to gay and marginalized people, demanding justice for the poor and the dispossessed and railing against unbridled capitalism and climate change.
Pope Francis in 2016.Tiziana Fabi / AFP – Getty Images file
As the first pope from the Americas, Francis was in many ways the ultimate Vatican outsider who charted a new and more liberal course as the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
“He embarked on a real reorganization of the church, and a real reorientation of the church, after four decades of conservative theologians leading the way,” said David Gibson, director of the Fordham Center on Religion and Culture.
The Vatican laid out plans for the body of Francis, saying that he will be placed in his coffin tonight.
“His Most Reverend Eminence Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of confirmation of death and the placing of the body in the coffin,” the Vatican said in a statement.
The rite would take place in the Chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
He was a well-known soccer fan who played as a goalkeeper in his youth. Now his favorite team has paid tribute to Francis on X.
Little known before Francis told the world about his support, Argentina’s San Lorenzo said the pontiff “was never just one of us, and he was always one of us. Cuervo as a child and as a man… Cuervo as a priest and Cardinal… Cuervo also as Pope.”
“Today we say to Francis: Goodbye, thank you, and see you forever,” it added.
President Donald Trump has offered his condolences in a short message on his Truth Social platform.
“Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!” his post said.
Pope Francis poses with President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump at the end of a private audience at the Vatican in May 2017.Evan Vucci / Pool via AFP – Getty Images file
His message comes after Vice President JD Vance met with the pontiff yesterday on Easter Sunday.
Tensions between the Holy See and the Trump administration had been on the rise over Washington’s immigration policies, including its deportation plans, which Francis was vocal in condemning.
Former President Joe Biden paid tribute to Francis as a pope “unlike any who came before him.”
“Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time and I am better for having known him,” Biden said in a statement this morning.
Pope Francis meets with President Joe Biden at the Vatican in 2021.Vatican Pool via Getty Images file
“For decades, he served the most vulnerable across Argentina and his mission of serving the poor never ceased,” he said. “As Pope, he was a loving pastor and challenging teacher who reached out to different faiths. He commanded us to fight for peace and protect our planet from a climate crisis.”
Tributes from American political leaders continued to pour in early this morning.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he and his wife, Jeanette, were “saddened” by the news, adding: “We unite in prayer with Catholics worldwide for the repose of the pontiff’s soul and for this period of transition for the Catholic Church. May He rest in peace.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams shared a photo of himself shaking hands with Francis on X. “As someone deeply connected to my faith and who represents a city of millions of Catholics, my visit to the Vatican to meet with and hear directly from Pope Francis last year was one of the most sacred and special moments of my life.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also paid tribute, writing: “We should all strive to carry on his legacy.”
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, meanwhile, said Francis “led by example, and his humility and dedication to God brought people together. His loss is great, but his impact is greater.”
His Louisianan counterpart, Gov. Jeff Landry also paid tribute, writing: “Rest in Peace Pope Francis. Sharon and I join Christians around the world in praying for him and the Church during this time.”
In his first seconds as leader of the Catholic Church, Francis asked the crowd to pray for him, showing the world what kind of pontiff he wanted to be — a pastor close to the people.
NBC’s Raf Sanchez reports for “TODAY” on the pope’s life and legacy on the world stage, whose humility was evident even in small gestures.
The first liturgical ritual for Francis will take place today at 8 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET).
It will include the confirmation of his death and the placement of his body in a coffin, the Vatican said in a statement.
The rite will take place in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, where Francis lived.
Argentine President Javier Milei said he had learned of Francis’ passing “with deep sorrow” this morning while his office paid tribute to the legacy left by the pope, who in 2013 became the first Argentine to lead the Catholic church.
“Despite differences that now seem minor, having had the chance to know him in his kindness and wisdom was a true honor for me,” Milei said in a post on X, referring to the pope by his name, Jorge Bergoglio.
Milei with Pope Francis last year.Vatican Pool / Getty Images
Despite a rocky start where Milei once called the pope an “imbecile,” the two leaders came to embrace each other over the years. During a meeting last year where the Argentinian president presented the pope with some of his favorite Argentine dulce de leche alfajor cookies, Milei said he had come to understand Francis as the most important Argentine in the country.
“The Republic of Argentina, a country with a long Catholic tradition and the birthplace of Pope Francis, deeply mourns the passing of His Holiness and sends its condolences to the Bergoglio family,” Milei’s office added in a separate statement posted on X.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “deeply saddened” to hear of the death of Francis.
“His tireless efforts to promote a world that is fairer for all will leave a lasting legacy,” Starmer said in a post on X.
“On behalf of the people of the United Kingdom, I share my sincerest condolences to the whole Catholic Church,” he said.
Flags at British government buildings were ordered to be flown at half-staff until tomorrow night.
Staff set up an image of Pope Francis inside The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood, informally known as Westminster Cathedral, in London today.Henry Nicholls / AFP – Getty Images
Reporting from Vatican City
Just 24 hours ago, tens of thousands of pilgrims had made their way to the Vatican, and were surprised when the pontiff made a surprise appearance and wished everybody a happy Easter.
Not only that, the pope also appeared without any external oxygen support, and, for the first time since being discharged from the hospital, also took a ride in his vehicle, famously known as the popemobile.
Pope Francis yesterday.Tiziana Fabi / AFP – Getty Images
His death this morning thus shocked people who had just witnessed the pontiff seemingly health, though frail.
Meanwhile, the Vatican today invited people to take part in a special rosary and also said an American cardinal will lead the certification of death and Francis’ deposition into the coffin.
What next for the Catholic Church?
This is the question facing the 136 cardinals who are due to arrive in Rome soon for a conclave, the ancient ritual of deciding the next pope, NBC News correspondent Anne Thompson told a special edition of the “TODAY” show this morning.
“I think what you will see is the church struggle with what the future should be,” she said. “Are they going to continue down the same path as Francis, as far as opening the doors of the churchwide to welcome everybody in, to acknowledge everyone as the sinner, or are they going to close those doors and make it more narrow and go back to the, as you know, go back to strict doctrine?”
Erica Prenda, 32, born in Rhode Island and now living in Rome where she works as a teacher, told NBC News of how she rushed to St. Peter’s Square as soon as she heard the news of Pope Francis’ death.
Standing alongside her partner, Daragh Cuddy and leaning against one of the barriers lining a path for visitors at the square, she said Francis has long “played a key role in my life.”
Chiara Sgreccia
“When I was studying at a Catholic university, I met him, and his messages of peace have always inspired me,” she said with a smile.
“Pope Francis was not just a point of reference for Catholics but for all of humanity, thanks to his compassion,” Cuddy, her partner, added. “I have great respect for what Pope Francis has done to bring peace to the world. I’m especially grateful for his support of the Palestinian people.”
In his final Easter message, Pope Francis made a strong appeal for peace in Gaza where he said “terrible conflict continues to cause death and destruction.”
Francis also called for a ceasefire and the release of all hostages in his homily which was delivered on his behalf by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, a retired archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Before his death, Francis regularly highlighted the plight of Palestinians living in the enclave and was in regular contact with Gaza’s Christian community.
Two days after Israel began bombing the Gaza Strip following the Hamas-led terror attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, Francis made nightly calls to Gabriele Romanelli, parish priest at the Holy Family parish in the north of the enclave, Vatican News revealed in February. As he was battling double pneumonia earlier this year, he made time to call Romanelli “to express his fatherly closeness,” the outlet reported.
Reporting from Vatican City
Alberto Pizzoli / AFP – Getty Images
There is a hush over St. Peter’s Square this morning, despite the endless stream of people making their way toward the Basilica — people of all ages and from all walks of life who, upon hearing of Pope Francis’s death, made their way here to pay their respects.
“Even if I won’t be able to enter the Basilica, I came here with my husband to say a prayer,” Titti Lepore, 56, said she walked through St. Peter’s Square with her husband. “I’m Catholic, so as soon as I heard about Pope Francis’ death, I felt the need to come here.”
“What struck me is that the pope waited to say his final goodbye on Easter Sunday, such a meaningful day for Catholics. It’s as if he wanted to hold on just long enough to say goodbye to all of us,” Lepore said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his “most sincere” condolences to senior cardinals on the death of Pope Francis, the Kremlin said in a statement.
“During all the years of his pontificate, he actively promoted the development of a dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, as well as constructive cooperation between Russia and the Holy See,” Putin said.
Putin with Pope Francis in 2015.Grzegorz Galazka / Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images file
“I had the opportunity to communicate with this outstanding person on many occasions, and I will forever preserve the brightest memory of him,” he added.
The Russian leader’s statement came hours after he launched a missile and drone attack on Ukraine after the one-day Easter ceasefire he announced Saturday came to an end.
Bells tolled throughout St. Peter’s Square to announce the death of Pope Francis as a special rosary was recited for the pontiff. NBC News’ Claudio Lavanga has the details from St. Peter’s Square.
In a tribute to Francis, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy said millions of people around the world are “mourning the tragic news” of the Pope’s passing.
“He knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer, and foster unity,” Zelenksyy said in a post on X, adding, “He prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians.”
During his last Easter address at the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, Francis had called on all parties in the war in Ukraine to “pursue efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace.”
Known for championing progressive causes, including the plight of the homeless, LGBTQ rights and environmental issues, Pope Francis leaves a complex political legacy that combined conservatism and liberalism, commentators said today.
“One of his famous lines from one of his early documents was that ‘Everything is connected.’ And so Francis began with the dignity of the human person, and so that’s what led him to oppose abortion, but also have a very strong defense of migrants and climate change,” said NBC Vatican analyst Christopher White from Rome this morning.
Joining special report on the “TODAY” show, White said: “And so I think that’s why some people often found him a bit puzzling. How do how do you characterize this guy? Progressive? Is he is he a conservative? in a sense, he was both.”
Crowds could be seen gathering inside the recently reopened Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris this morning to honor the late Pope Francis.
Dimitar Dilkoff / AFP – Getty Images
Dimitar Dilkoff / AFP – Getty Images
The cathedral reopened in December after being shuttered for years amid repairs after a fire tore through the Gothic landmark five years ago.
Leaders across Europe continue to share personal tributes for Francis following his death this morning.
“From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X. “May it unite people with each other and with nature. May this hope continually revive beyond him,” he said.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a Facebook post that news of the pontiff’s death “pains us deeply, because a great man and a great pastor leaves us,” while remembering “the privilege” she had to enjoy his friendship, his advice, and his teachings.”
Meloni and Pope Francis last year.Vatican Pool / Getty Images file
In the Netherlands, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof called Francis “in every way a man of the people” and “a role model for many — Catholics and non-Catholics alike” in a post on X, while Poland’s President Andrzej Duda said in a separate post that the pope was “guided by humility and modesty” in his pasatoral ministry.
The European Union Commission’s president, Ursula von der Leyen said Francis had “inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate,” adding that her thoughts “are with all who feel this profound loss.”
Hours before his death, Pope Francis appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to celebrate Easter services yesterday, as a cheering crowd of thousands gathered at the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square.
“Dear brothers and sisters, happy Easter,” he said, waving and giving his blessing.
Tiziana Fabi / AFP – Getty Images
Tiziana Fabi / AFP – Getty Images
Francis did not lead the Easter Mass, but Cardinal Angelo Comastri, a retired archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, took his place and delivered the homily that he had prepared.
During the address, Francis made a strong appeal for peace around the world, particularly in Gaza, where he said “terrible conflict continues to cause death and destruction,” and called for a ceasefire and the release of all hostages.
Pope Francis’ successor will be chosen during a conclave, a gathering of cardinals who were appointed by the pope as his most senior officials, who will now be charged with electing a new pontiff in strict seclusion at the Vatican.
Known as the College of Cardinals, this group will govern the Catholic Church during the time between the pope’s death and the election of his successor, which will be held in secrecy inside the Sistine Chapel.
Filippo Monteforte / AFP via Getty Images file
During the election, a process that can usually take several days, weeks, or months, 138 of the 252 senior cardinals will be eligible to vote for the new pope. Those excluded are over the age of 80 and can only join the debate over who should be elected. A new pope will be determined after individual cardinals cast their votes for their preferred candidate.
During this time, the cardinals burn their ballot papers to send a smoke signal twice a day to indicate how the election is proceeding. Black smoke will signal an inconclusive ballot, while white smoke will mean a new pope has been chosen.
King Charles issued a special tribute to Pope Francis, with whom he met in early April alongside Queen Camilla during the pontiff’s final weeks.
“My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis,” Charles said in a statement issued by the Royal Palace, adding, “Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry.”
King Charles III and Queen Camilla meet Pope Francis on April 9.Vatican Media
Recalling his meetings with the Pope over the years “with particular affection,” Charles said he and Camilla were “greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month.” The royal couple’s private visit to the Vatican took place on their 20th wedding anniversary on April 9, with Francis personally wishing them a happy anniversary.
“We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ,” Charles added.
The White House offered its condolences this morning, writing, “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis,” in a post on X accompanied by photos of the pontiff in separate meetings with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, whom he met with just yesterday.
In a separate statement earlier today, Vance shared his own tribute to the pope, whom he met with briefly in Rome yesterday to exchange Easter greetings amid growing tensions between the Holy See and the Trump administration over Washington’s immigration policies.
“I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill,” Vance said in a post on X. “But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful,” he said, sharing a link to Francis’ words.
“My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him,” Vance added, with his meeting with the pontiff unfolding after the vice president clashed with the pope over the Trump administration’s deportation plans, which the pontiff described as a “disgrace.”
Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced the death of Pope Francis, saying the pontiff “returned to the house of the Father” in the early hours of Easter Monday.
Toward the end of his life, Francis suffered a number of health issues, which often forced him to rely on a wheelchair or canes.
Filippo Monteforte / AFP – Getty Images
He had been discharged from the hospital last month after not been seen in public for more than five weeks. At times, the pope had required high-flow oxygen therapy, according to the Vatican, and his changing health status captivated the world’s attention.
That recent hospitalization wasn’t Pope Francis’ first serious health challenge. In 2021, he underwent surgery for diverticulitis, a gastrointestinal condition, and again in 2023 for a hernia.
In January 2024, he appeared in a sling after injuring his right forearm in a fall at his residence. The Vatican confirmed that no bones were broken, but the tumble came weeks after the pontiff bruised his face in another fall in December, according to Reuters.
Pilgrims who have made the trip to the Vatican on Easter Monday, some to express love and support for Pope Francis, were only slowly learning about the news of his death this morning.
One group was praying for him in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican this morning, while smiling and taking selfies — they didn’t seem to realize that the Pope has died.
To some, the Pope had looked in better shape in his unplanned appearance yesterday, as he was without the oxygen tubes he had relied on to breath after his recent hospitalization.
Crowds have begun to build at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican this morning, with mourners gathering to offer their prayers following news of Pope Francis’ death.
Alberto Pizzoli / AFP – Getty Images
Alberto Pizzoli / AFP – Getty Images
Alberto Pizzoli / AFP – Getty Images
Condolences over the death of Pope Francis are pouring in from world leaders.
“The death of Pope Francis fills me with great sadness,” Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, said in a post on X, adding, “Francis will be remembered for his tireless commitment to the weakest in society, to justice and reconciliation. Humility and faith in God’s mercy guided him in this.”
In Israel, President Isaac Herzog sent his “deepest condolences to the Christian world and especially the Christian communities in Israel — the Holy Land — on the loss of their great spiritual father, His Holiness Pope Francis,” in a post on X, adding, “I truly hope that his prayers for peace in the Middle East and for the safe return of the hostages will soon be answered.”
In Iran, the foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei also offered his condolences to Christians all over the world, according to Iranian state news agency Fars News.
Pope Francis, a reformer from Argentina who rattled the Catholic Church’s traditionalists and inspired progressives by reaching out to gay people and championing the rights of immigrants and the poor, has died, the Vatican announced.
He was 88.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced the Pope’s death in a statement released by the Vatican during the early hours of Monday.
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” the Cardinal said.
