Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, has died at age 88, says the Vatican.
His death on Monday came shortly after an episode of double pneumonia that kept him hospitalized for five weeks at the Hospital of the Gemelli University of Rome.
Only one day beforeThe Pontiff did what his final appearance would be as He greeted thousands of Easter faithful from an open Popemobile in the Plaza de San Pedro and delivered a blessing through an assistant.
The death of the 266th Pope has caused tributes around the world:
Italy
The Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, cried the loss of “a great man, a great shepherd” and expressed deep sadness.
“I had the privilege of enjoying their friendship, their advice, their teachings, which never ceased, not only deepening the times of judgment and suffering,” he said. “We say goodbye to the Holy Father with a heart full of sadness.”
Italy soccer authorities postponed scheduled matches for Monday.
Argentina
The presidency’s office said “the death of the first Argentine leader of the Catholic Church. The president who pushes the chainsaw, Javier Milei, who previously crashed with the Pope, praised Francis’s approach in the interreligious dialogue, the stimulus of spirituality among young people and the focus on reducing costs in the Vatican.
European Union
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that Francis’s life was defined by his efforts to build a more fair and peaceful world. “He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and so pure love for the less fortunate,” he said.
USA
The White House shared a tribute on social networks, writing “Rest in La Paz, Pope Francis” along with a photo of the Pope who met with President Donald Trump and the first lady. In a separate publication on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Rest in La Paz Pope Francis!
Vice President JD Vance, who with the Pope on Sunday, said: “My heart is with the millions of Christians around the world who loved him.”
Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his “sincere condolences”, praising Francis’s efforts to strengthen ties between Orthodox and Russian Catholic churches. The Patriarchy of Moscow echoed the feeling, saying that the late Pontiff had played a key role in the advance of the dialogue between the two branches of Christianity.
India
The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, said: “Pope Francis will always be remembered as a lighthouse of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions of people around the world. He diligently served the poor and oppressed. For those who.
France
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, praised the Pontiff for his lasting solidarity with the most vulnerable of society. “In this moment of war and brutity, it made sense to the other, for the most fragile,” Macron said, praising his humility.
Philippines
In the Philippines, which has the largest Catholic population in Asia, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr called Francis “the best Pope in my life”, praising his humility, faith and compassion for the poor. Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David expressed his shock and urged the churches to sound his bells and call people to prayer for the “eternal rest” of the Pope.
Poland
The Polish president Andrzej doubts Francis as “a great apostle of mercy,” saying that the Pontiff’s example offered responses to contemporary challenges. “In his pastoral ministry, he was guided by humility and simplicity.”
Spain
Spain has declared three days of mourning. The Minister of Justice, Felix Bolans, said in a televised speech that the country laments “the death of a good man and a great pope”, and praised the “reformist” papacy of Francis who “will leave a legacy for history.”
Australia
Prime Minister Anthony Albanian said that Francis would be cried by Australians of all religions, describing him as “a devout champion and loving father” to Catholics. “His compassion hugged all humanity,” Albanian told ABC News. “He urged us to listen to the shout of the earth and remember everything we share.”
Ethiopia
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that the death of the Pope was a loss not only for Catholics but also for humanity. “May your soul rest on eternal peace, and that its legacy of compassion, humility and service to humanity continues to inspire coming generations,” he said.
Timor Es
President José Ramos-Horta described Francis’s death as a global loss. He announced that the nations flags would be reduced by half the staff for a week with a mass to continue in homage to the life and service of the Pope.
Egypt
The Orthodox Copta Church of Egypt cried Pope Francis Francisco calling him “a true example of Christian humility.”
Germany
Friedrich Merz, German chancellor waiting, said that Francis would be remembered for his unwavering commitment to the marginalized. “He was guided by humility and faith in the mercy of God,” Merz wrote in X.
Iran
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recognized Francisco’s global spiritual influence. The spokesman Esmail Baghaei said that I will “extend the condolences to all Christians around the world.”
Tibet
The Dalai Lama sacrificed the Buddhist prayers and wrote to the papal envoy to “express his sadness” for death. “Pope Francis dedicated himself to the service of others … constantly revealing for his own actions how to live a simple but significant life,” said the Buddhist leader in a statement from his base in exile in India. “The best tribute we can pay is to be a warm heart person, serve others wherever and in any way we can.”
United Kingdom
King Charles said he was “sadder”, praising Pope Francis “” compassion “, commitment to unity and the environment. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his condolences, saying that Francis’s” tireless efforts were remembered to promote a world that is fairer to all. “
United Nations
Secretary General Antonio Guterres praised what he called the historical influence of Pope Francis as a voice for human peace and dignity.
“I join the world to cry the death of His Holiness, Pope Francis, a messenger of hope, humility and humanity,” he said in a statement.