Global Leaders Offer Tributes to Pope Francis

Church bells tolled across Rome, and tributes have been pouring in from leaders around the world after the Vatican on Monday announced the death at age 88 of Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church since 2013.

Francis made his last public appearance at St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, after a prolonged hospitalization due to a respiratory issue that had developed into double pneumonia.  [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”]

Before his death, Francis on Sunday also met briefly with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who is Catholic, at the Vatican. (Francis had previously criticized the Trump Administration’s immigration policies.)

Vance posted on X early Monday that he had just learned of the Pope’s passing, and he shared a link to a March 2020 homily that he said he would remember him by. “I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill,” Vance noted. “My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.”

The White House also posted “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis” on X, alongside images of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump meeting with Francis in 2017 and Vance’s recent meeting.

Micheál Martin, Ireland’s taoiseach, also issued a statement on social media to extend his condolences. Martin celebrated Francis’ “long and distinguished papacy” and “unwavering commitment to the principles of compassion, peace, and human dignity. He spoke out for the poor, the marginalised, and the oppressed. 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 added that the late Pope holds “a special place in the hearts of the Irish people,” citing a visit to Ireland in August 2018, where Francis expressed pain and shame about historic child abuse in the Catholic Church. 

“I had the honour of meeting Pope Francis in Dublin Castle during that visit and was impressed by his vision of a Catholic Church that is open, compassionate, and focused on the needs of the most vulnerable,” Martin added. “He shared with us his deep concern with the issues of social justice and human rights, and his profound commitment to alleviating suffering. Pope Francis’s legacy is his message of peace, reconciliation, and solidarity that lives in the hearts of those he inspired. May he rest in peace, and may his memory continue to guide us as we strive to build a world that reflects his vision of love and compassion for all.”

Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament, posted on X: “Europe mourns the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. His contagious smile captured millions of people’s hearts across the globe. ‘The People’s Pope’ will be remembered for his love for life, hope for peace, compassion for equality & social justice.”

“Today, the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis,” Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, posted on X. “He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate. My thoughts are with all who feel this profound loss. May they find solace in the idea that Pope Francis’ legacy will continue to guide us all toward a more just, peaceful and compassionate world.”

“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,” Friedrich Merz, Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting, posted on X in German. “In doing so, the first Latin American to sit on the Holy See touched people worldwide, across denominational boundaries. My thoughts at this time are with the faithful around the world who have lost their Holy Father.”

Narendra Modi, India’s Prime Minister, also posted a message on X, which included a photo of him and Francis together: “Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis,” Modi said, adding: “I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God’s embrace.”

Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, posted on X: “You stood up and spoke out—relentlessly—for the poor, the persecuted, the victims of war, the refugees, the migrants. May you continue to give us faith and courage in this brutal world.”