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CV NEWS FEED // Political and religious leaders throughout the world are expressing sympathy and condolences to the Catholic Church following the death of Pope Francis.
The Holy Father, who died at age 88 on Easter Monday, will be laid to rest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major following his funeral April 26.
Shortly after his death was announced, leaders around the world began offering condolences and personal statements in memory of the late Holy Father.
United States President Donald Trump, who will attend the funeral, ordered the U.S. flag at the White House and at other official locations be flown at half-staff out of respect for the memory of Pope Francis April 26.
“Rest in Peace Pope Francis!” he said in a separate Truth Social post. “May God Bless him and all who loved him!”
Argentinian President Javier Milei, the libertarian political leader of the late pope’s homeland, issued a statement on X offering condolences at the news.
“Despite differences that seem minor today, having been able to know him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honor for me,” Milei said. “I bid farewell to the Holy Father and stand with all of us who are today dealing with this sad news.”
Milei met Pope Francis in person for the first time in February 2024 at the canonization Mass of the first female saint from Argentina, according to Newsweek. The meeting marked a significant shift in the relations between the two. Before and while Milei ran for president in 2023, he had fiercely criticized Pope Francis and publicly insulted him several times. According to Newsweek, after the campaign’s conclusion, Pope Francis reportedly indicated that he forgave Milei regarding these statements. When Milei was elected president in November 2023, Pope Francis congratulated him in a short phone call conversation.
The day after the February 2024 Mass, Milei had a private audience with the Pope, which was described as a cordial meeting.
Reuters reports that Milei will attend Pope Francis’ funeral.
Also set to attend the funeral is President Michael Higgins of Ireland, according to Virgin Media News.
In a statement, Higgins emphasized the appreciation that the whole country has for the Holy Father. He told outlet Virgin Media News that he “will miss very, very much the statements… all the documents, which were documents of inclusion” and hoped that others will continue and build on the “unfinished business” begun by Pope Francis, although he did not elaborate further.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered condolences in a statement, adding that “We remember his prayers for peace in Ukraine. Our state will be represented in Rome at the farewell ceremony this coming Saturday.”
Pope Francis praised for ecumenical dialogue
In a rare occurrence, Easter this year was celebrated on the same day by the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, presenting a unique opportunity for ecumenical dialogue.
One Orthodox spiritual leader, Metropolitan Ratislav of the Czech and Slovak Church, spoke on Pope Francis’ relationship with Orthodoxy.
“It was with deep sorrow that I received the news of the death of Pope Francis during these Easter days,” Metropolitan Ratislav said, according to the Orthodox Times. “The late Pope was a man of faith who longed to share this precious treasure with everyone. Following the example of the saint whose name he chose at his election, he preached humility and charity, carried out works of mercy, and urged genuine compassion – something so sorely lacking in our world.
“I would especially like to emphasize his loving and benevolent attitude toward Orthodoxy,” he added. “With heartfelt emotion, I recall our personal meetings in the Vatican, as well as during his visit to the Slovak Republic.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin in his condolences statement also noted the late pontiff’s efforts of ecumenical dialogue.
“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,” Putin said, according to Reuters.
“In this sad hour,” Putin said, “I would like to convey to you and the entire Catholic clergy my words of sympathy and support.”
Leaders of the Anglican Communion around the world issued statements offering condolences and praising Pope Francis’ efforts in ministry, unity, and ecumenism.
Secretary General of the Anglican Communion Anthony Poggo said, “We offer our condolences to our sisters and brothers in the Roman Catholic Church.”
“Pope Francis has sought to foster greater unity among Christians,” Poggo stated. “His commitment to dialogue, understanding and shared mission has opened new avenues of collaboration between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. We have walked together on the way towards healing the wounds of division and towards the unity that Christ desires for His Church.”
Anglican Bishop of Gibraltar Robert Innes said he firsthand experienced Pope Francis’ devotion to ecumenical work, and described him as “a true friend to the Anglican Church and to the Diocese in Europe.”
Political leaders offer condolences
Also among those praising Pope Francis’ interfaith engagement was the leader of the central Asian country of Turkmenistan, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
“The significant contributions of Pope Francis in fostering goodwill among religions and strengthening peace, harmony, and unity around the world will forever remain in the memory of all nations,” Berdimuhamedov stated in his condolences message, according to the Gulf Observer.
President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana expressed “heartfelt condolences to the Roman Catholic Church and all Catholic faithful in Ghana during this time of profound grief.”
Mahama also praised Pope Francis for a “legacy of compassion, humility, and commitment to social justice” that will inspire people for years to come.
“His leadership and advocacy for the poor and marginalized resonate deeply,” Mahama said. “May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
Prime Minister of Japan Shigeru Ishiba said he was extremely saddened to learn of Pope Francis’ death, and noted in his condolences message that throughout his pontificate Pope Francis “dedicated himself to protecting the environment and promoting peaceful diplomacy with a strong voice supported by approximately 1.4 billion Catholics.”
“In relations with Japan, Pope Francis, as the first Pope from the Society of Jesus, had long hoped for missionary activities in Japan like Francis Xavier,” Ishiba said. “In 2019, Pope Francis visited Japan for the first time in 38 years since Pope John Paul II visited in 1981, and visited Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where he delivered a powerful message of peace.
“I would like to express my heartfelt respect for the achievements of His Holiness Pope Francis to date,” he concluded. “The demise of Pope Francis is not only a great loss for the people of Vatican and Catholics, but also for the international community. I would like to express my heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Government and people of Japan.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also offered condolences to Catholics and other followers of Pope Francis around the world, Newsweek reported.
“Pope Francis dedicated his life to promoting Christ’s teachings of peace, justice, freedom, and interfaith dialogue,” Pezeshkian said.
In his statement, Pezeshkian also praised as highlights of the pontiff’s life and leadership “his humanitarian positions against anti-human behaviors in the world, especially his explicit positions and condemnation of the Israeli regime’s genocide in Gaza, and the demand to end the killing of innocent Palestinian women and children.”
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun offered condolences and spoke briefly on Vatican-China relations, according to the Hong Kong Free Press.
“In recent years, China and the Vatican have maintained constructive contact and carried out friendly exchanges,” Jiakun stated.
The spokesman also said that “China is willing to make joint efforts with the Vatican to promote the continued improvement of China-Vatican relations.”
President Isaac Herzog of Israel offered his condolences to Catholics, describing Pope Francis as “a man of deep faith and boundless compassion,” according to the Jerusalem Post.
“He rightly saw great importance in fostering strong ties with the Jewish world and in advancing interfaith dialogue as a path toward greater understanding and mutual respect,” Herzog said. “I truly hope that his prayers for peace in the Middle East and for the safe return of the hostages will soon be answered. May his memory continue to inspire acts of kindness, unity, and hope.”
The Jerusalem Post reported in a separate article that Israel’s Foreign Ministry posted a message to several social media platforms that read “Rest in peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing.” The posts were deleted shortly afterward, according to the Post.
Officials at the Foreign Ministry told the Post that the “messages were posted in error. We responded to the Pope’s statements against Israel and the war during his lifetime, and we will not do so after his death. We respect the feelings of his believers.”
The United Nations Refugee Agency called UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) expressed deep sadness at the death of Pope Francis, and offered “heartfelt condolences to Catholics around the world and to all those mourning the loss of a compassionate and courageous moral leader.”
The agency praised the Pope for speaking out on tragedies that occurred both within Europe’s borders and beyond, and for his advocacy for refugees.
“His unwavering solidarity with displaced people, his commitment towards global peace, his engagement for humanitarian causes and his call for dialogue to resolve conflict and build solidarity inspired action, compassion, and a deeper sense of shared humanity,” UNHCR said. “He was strongly committed to peace everywhere – from the Middle East to Colombia, to Ukraine, the Central African Republic, to Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Myanmar, he spoke for peace, reconciliation and dignity.”