‘Beacon of compassion, spiritual courage’: PM Modi, other global leaders pay homage to Pope Francis

‘May God Bless him and all who loved him’: Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!”

‘Below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID’: JD Vance

US Vice President JD Vance who met briefly with Pope Francis on Sunday, also took to X to express his condolences.

“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. 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. May God rest his soul,” Vance wrote in a post on X. He is currently in India on a four-day official visit. On Sunday, he met with Pope to exchange Easter greetings, after they got into a long-distance tangle over the Trump administration’s migrant deportation plans.

‘A great man and a great shepherd has left us’: Giorgia Meloni

Mourning the departure of Pope Francis, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote that the “news saddens us deeply, because a great man and a great shepherd has left us.”

“I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice and his teachings, which never failed even in moments of trial and suffering. In the meditations of the Via Crucis, he reminded us of the power of the gift, which makes everything flourish again and is capable of reconciling what in the eyes of man is irreconcilable. And he asked the world, once again, for the courage to change direction, to follow a path that “does not destroy, but cultivates, repairs, protects”.

“His teaching and his legacy will not be lost. We greet the Holy Father with hearts full of sadness, but we know that he is now in the peace of the Lord,” she added.

‘He actively promoted dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches’: Vladimir Putin

In a message to Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, “Throughout the years of his pontificate, he actively promoted the development of dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, as well as constructive cooperation between Russia and the Holy See.”

“In this sad hour, I would like to convey to you and the entire Catholic clergy my words of sympathy and support,” Putin said in the message.

‘Pope Francis had always sided with the most vulnerable’: Emmanuel Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron said, “Throughout his pontificate Pope Francis had always sided with the most vulnerable and the most fragile, and that he did this with a lot of humility. In this time of war and brutality, he had a sense for the other, for the most fragile,”

‘Francis will be remembered for his tireless commitment to weakest in society’: Friedrich Merz

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote on X: “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 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. May he rest in peace.”

‘Saw great importance in promoting interfaith dialogue’: Isaac Herzog

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog wrote on X: “I send my deepest condolences to the Christian citizens of Israel, to the Christian communities in the Holy Land, and to the entire Christian world – on the loss of their spiritual father, Pope Francis. The late Pope Francis was a man of immense faith and great mercy, who dedicated his life to the advancement of the world’s poor and to calling for peace in a complex and turbulent era.

“He saw great importance in deepening ties with the Jewish world and in promoting interfaith dialogue as a way to achieve mutual understanding and respect. I hope that his prayers for peace in the Middle East and the return of the kidnapped will soon be answered. May his memory continue to inspire acts of kindness, unity, and hope,” he added.

‘Having been able to know him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honor for me’: Javier Milei

Argentinian President Javier Milei wrote on X: “It is with profound sorrow that I learned this sad morning that Pope Francis, Jorge Bergoglio, passed away today and is now resting in peace.”

“Despite differences that seem minor today, having been able to know him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honor for me,” he added.

Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, hailed from Argentina, making him the first from Latin America. He was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, before his papacy. In his youth, he climbed the ranks of the Jesuit order, guiding people as a spiritual leader during turbulent times in the Latin American country, like the Dirty War — the military dictatorship from 1976 to 1983.

‘He will be remembered for his compassion, concern for the unity of the Church’: King Charles

Britain’s King Charles said, “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.”

‘He exemplified servant leadership through his humility, unwavering commitment to inclusivity’: William Ruto

Kenyan President William Ruto said, “He exemplified servant leadership through his humility, his unwavering commitment to inclusivity and justice, and his deep compassion for the poor and the vulnerable. His strong ethical and moral convictions inspired millions across the world, regardless of faith or background.”

‘He always carried Lebanon in his heart and prayers’: Joseph Aoun

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said, “We in Lebanon, the land of diversity, feel the loss of a dear friend and a strong supporter. The late Pope always carried Lebanon in his heart and prayers, and he always called on the world to support Lebanon in its ordeal. We will never forget his repeated calls to protect Lebanon and preserve its identity and diversity.”

‘He knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer, foster unity’: Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X: “He knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer, and foster unity. He prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians. We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians who looked to Pope Francis for spiritual support. Eternal memory!”

‘Best pope in my lifetime’: Ferdinand Marcos Jr

Phillipine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said, “I love this pope. The best pope in my lifetime as far as I’m concerned,” he said of Pope Francis.

“A man of profound faith and humility, Pope Francis led not only with wisdom but with a heart open to all, especially the poor and the forgotten,” Marcos also said separately.

‘Brought the issue of climate change to Vatican, criticized economic models that led to many injustices’: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wrote on X: “Pope Francis lived and spread in his daily life the love, tolerance and solidarity that are the basis of Christian teachings. Just as taught in the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Argentine, Jorge Bergoglio, tirelessly sought to bring love where there was hatred. Unity where there was discord. And the understanding that we are all equal, living in the same house, our planet, which urgently needs our care.”

Highlighting Francis’ progressive views, especially climate change, Lula wrote, “With his simplicity, courage and empathy, Francis brought the issue of climate change to the Vatican. He vigorously criticized the economic models that led humanity to produce so many injustices. He showed that this same model is what generates inequality between countries and people. And he always stood by those who need it most: the poor, refugees, young people, the elderly and victims of war and all forms of prejudice.”

“On the occasions when Janja and I were blessed with the opportunity to meet Pope Francis and be received by him with great affection, we were able to share our ideals of peace, equality and justice. Ideals that the world has always needed. And will always need. May God comfort those who today, all over the world, suffer the pain of this enormous loss. In his memory and in honor of his work, I decree seven days of mourning in Brazil,” he added.