World Leaders Pay Tribute to Pope Francis Following His Passing
Pope Francis, the revered leader of the Catholic Church, passed away on Monday, April 21, at the age of 88. His death has triggered an outpouring of condolences from world leaders, reflecting the profound impact he had on millions across the globe.
In a poignant tribute, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris rang its bells 88 times—once for each year of his life—before a noon mass held in his honor, followed by another service in the early evening, as reported by the Notre-Dame press office. A mass is also scheduled for Wednesday morning at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her sorrow, stating, "A great man has left us. Pope Francis has returned to the Father's home. It is deeply sad news because a great man has left us."
In the United States, Vice President JD Vance shared his condolences, noting, "My heart goes out to Christians" just a day after meeting the pontiff at the Vatican. Reflecting on their encounter, Vance added, "I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill."
Ireland's Prime Minister Michael Martin praised Pope Francis for his solidarity with the marginalized, stating, "Pope Francis's long and distinguished papacy was marked by his unwavering commitment to the principles of compassion, peace, and human dignity. He will be remembered for his expression of pain and shame regarding historic child abuses during his 2018 visit to Ireland."
Germany's incoming Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, expressed great sorrow and described the late pope as a man guided by humility and faith. He added, "The pope will remain in our memories for his indefatigable commitment to the most vulnerable, for justice, and for reconciliation."
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called Pope Francis's death a "profound loss for the entire world, as he was a voice of peace, love, and compassion." He described the late pontiff as an exceptional global figure who tirelessly promoted tolerance and worked to build bridges of dialogue. Furthermore, he lauded Francis for defending the Palestinian cause and calling for an end to conflict.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his sorrow, remarking that the pontiff served the poor and offered hope to those suffering. Modi stated, "Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility, and spiritual courage by millions worldwide," adding that he fondly recalled their meetings and was inspired by the pope's commitment to inclusive development.
In France, it was the bells of the Notre-Dame Cathedral that resonated in homage to Pope Francis, while the Eiffel Tower was dimmed in remembrance, as announced by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. She indicated that the city hall was planning to name a site in the French capital after the pontiff, emphasizing his advocacy for ecological concerns and support for refugees.
From across continents and cultures, the tributes reflect a unanimous respect and gratitude for Pope Francis's legacy of compassion, dialogue, and humanitarianism.
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