Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, died at the age of 88, said the Vatican.
His death on Monday came shortly after a double pneumonia which kept him hospitalized for five weeks at the Gemelli hospital in Rome.
Just a day earlier, the pontiff made what would be his last major appearance by saluting thousands of Easter worshipers of a popemobile with a roof open in Saint-Pierre and delivered a blessing by an assistant.
The death of the 266th Pope caused tributes from around the world:
Italy
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni cried the loss of “a great man, a large shepherd” and expressed deep pain.
“I had the privilege of taking advantage of his friendship, his advice, his teachings, which never stopped, not even in times of trial and suffering,” she said. “We say goodbye to the Holy Father with a heart full of sadness.”
Italian football authorities have postponed the matches scheduled for Monday.
Argentina
The office of the presidency “deeply regretted” the death of the first Argentine chief of the Catholic Church. President Javier Milei, who previously faced the Pope, praised Francis on interreligious dialogue, the encouragement of spirituality among young people and focus on reducing costs to 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 fairer and more peaceful world. “He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and his love so pure for the less lucky,” she said.
UNITED STATES
The White House shared a tribute on social networks, writing “Rest in Peace, Pope François” alongside a photo of the president of the Pope, President Donald Trump and the First Lady. In a separate article on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Rest in peace, Pope Francis! May God bless him as well as all those who loved him!”
Vice-president JD Vance, who met the Pope on Sunday, said: “My heart goes to the millions of Christians around the world who loved him.”
Russia
President Vladimir Putin expressed his “sincere condolences”, praising Francis’ efforts to strengthen the links between the Russian Orthodox and Catholic churches. Moscow’s patriarchy echoed the feeling, affirming that the late pontiff had played a key role in the progress of the dialogue between the two branches of Christianity.
India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Pope Francis will always remain in memories as a compassion, humility and spiritual courage lighthouse through millions around the world. He served the poor and oppressed diligently. For those who suffered, he lit a spirit of hope. “
France
President Emmanuel Macron congratulated the deceased pontiff for his sustainable solidarity with the most vulnerable of society. “In this period of war and brutality, he had a sense for the other, for the most fragile,” said Macron, congratulating his humility.
Brazil
President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva praised Pope Francis for his work on climate change and social justice. “With his simplicity, his courage and his empathy, Francis brought the subject of climate change to the Vatican,” he said. “The Pope vigorously criticized the economic models that have brought so much injustice to humanity.”
Mexico
President Claudia Sheinbaum described the death of Pope Francis as “great loss”, claiming that it was a “great honor and a privilege” of having known him. “A humanist who opted for the poor, peace and equality. He leaves a great heritage of true love for his neighbor. For Catholics and non-Catholics, it is a great loss,” she wrote on X.
South Africa
President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “Catholics and people of all confessions are saddened today by the death of a spiritual leader who sought to unite humanity.” He praised the Pope’s plea for inclusion, equality and environmental management.
Palestinian authority
President Mahmoud Abbas called Francis as a “faithful friend of the Palestinian people” and a “strong defender of peace, love and faith”. He said that the Pope’s support for Palestinian rights and justice had never hesitated, noting that Francis “recognized the Palestinian state and authorized the Palestinian flag to be raised in the Vatican”.
Bangladesh
The Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, head of the Bangladesh interim government, described Pope Francis as a “real friend and related spirit”. He recalled his “deep connection” with the late pontiff, which he described as an “imposing figure of moral clarity, humility and compassion in our time”.
Philippines
In the Philippines, who owns the largest Catholic population in Asia, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr called Francis “the best pope in my lifetime”, praising his humility, his faith and his compassion for the poor. Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David expressed his shock and urged churches to ring the bells and call people to pray for the “eternal rest” of the Pope.
Poland
Polish President Andrzej Duda praised Francis as “a great apostle of mercy”, saying that the example of the pontiff offered answers to contemporary challenges. “In his pastoral ministry, he was guided by humility and simplicity.”
Spain
The European country said three days of mourning. The Minister of Justice, Felix Bolanos, declared in a television speech that the country regrets “the death of a good man and a great pope” and congratulated the “reformist” papacy of Francis who “will leave a legacy for history”.
Australia
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that Francis would be cried by Australians from all confessions, describing him as “a devoted champion and a loving father” to Catholics. “His compassion has embraced all humanity,” Albanese told ABC News. “He urged us to hear the cry of the earth and to remember everything we share.”
Ethiopia
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the Pope’s death was a loss not only for Catholics but for humanity. “Let his soul rest in eternal peace, and that his inheritance of compassion, humility and service to humanity continues to inspire the generations to come,” he said.
East Timor
President Jose Ramos-Horta described Francis’s death as a world loss. He announced that the country’s flags would be lowered to half of the staff for a week with a mass to follow in tribute to the life and service of the Pope.
Egypt
The Orthodox Church Coptic of Egypt cried Pope Francis, calling him “true example of Christian humility”.
Germany
Friedrich Merz, the Chancellor in German German, said that Francis would be known for his unwavering commitment to marginalized groups. “He was guided by humility and faith in the mercy of God,” wrote Merz on X.
Iran
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recognized Francis’ global spiritual influence. The spokesman Esmail Baghaei said that Iran “exercises condolences to all Christians in the world”.
Tibet
The Dalai Lama offered Buddhist prayers, writing to the papal envoy to “express his sadness” on death. “Pope Francis devoted himself to the service of others … constantly revealing by his own actions how to live a simple but significant life,” he said in a press release from his base in exile in India. “The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warm person, serving others everywhere and in all ways possible.”
United Kingdom
King Charles said he was “the most deeply saddened”, praising Pope Francis’ “compassion”, commitment to unity and the environment.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed condolences, saying that “tireless efforts from Francis to promote a world that is fairer for everyone” would remain in the memories.
The 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 François, a messenger of hope, humility and humanity,” he said in a statement.
