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Pope Francis, who served as the 266th pope following the retirement of Benedict XVI in 2013, has passed away at the age of 88. His death has elicited an outpouring of tributes and condolences from around the globe.
As the first Jesuit pope and the first to hail from the Southern Hemisphere, Francis was born in Argentina to Italian parents. His papacy was marked by a commitment to reform within the Catholic Church, often challenging its more conservative elements. His advocacy for social justice and support of marginalized communities earned him admiration among progressive Catholics.
The pope’s final official encounter was with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Easter Sunday, the day before his death. Vance shared his condolences on X, reflecting on Francis’ impact: “I 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 beautiful homily he gave in the early days of COVID. May God rest his soul.”
The White House also acknowledged his passing on its official X account, highlighting two photographs featuring the pope—one with former President Donald Trump and another with Vance—with the caption: “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed deep sorrow in a Facebook post, stating: “Pope Francis has returned to the Father’s house. A news that pains us deeply, because a great man and a great pastor leaves us. I have had the privilege to enjoy his friendship, his advice, and his teachings, which never diminished even in times of trial and suffering.”
French President Emmanuel Macron shared his reflections on X, stating: “From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest. May it unite people with each other and with nature. May this hope continually revive beyond him. My wife and I send our thoughts to all Catholics and to the grieving world.”
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof described Francis on X as “in every way a man of the people,” emphasizing his commitment to human connection.
Friedrich Merz, a notable political figure in Germany, mourned the loss, acknowledging Pope Francis’ “tireless commitment to the weakest in society, to justice and reconciliation.” Similarly, Polish President Andrzej Duda recognized him as someone “guided by humility and modesty.”
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, praised Francis’ “humility and love so pure for the less fortunate,” and sent her thoughts to those grieving this significant loss.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog conveyed 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.” The pope was known for his vocal opposition to violence in the region, especially during the recent Israel-Hamas conflict.
In a similar vein, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, expressed condolences to Christians worldwide, reflecting on the global impact of Pope Francis’ leadership and compassion.
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