Reactions to the death of Pope Francis

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): The Pope, who was the Archbishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church, took up the post in 2013 after the resignation of his predecessor, Benedict XVI.

 

In recent years, he has been hospitalized several times due to illness, and there have been concerns about his health.

 

The leader of the world's Catholics was hospitalized on February 14 for treatment of pneumonia.

 

After Pope Francis was hospitalized, the Vatican announced that the diagnosis of the Pope's illness was pneumonia and tests showed that his blood platelet levels were low and he was anemic.

 

The Vatican had previously reported the pope's condition as serious on February 22, citing a prolonged respiratory crisis that required oxygen.

 

The Vatican later announced that the pope had kidney problems as a result of the illness. The world's Catholic leader made his first public appearance since his 38-day hospital stay on March 23, smiling and shaking hands with people from the balcony where he usually delivers speeches.

 

Born in 1936, Pope Francis was the first pope from Latin America. He has earned the nickname "the people's pope" for his support of those fleeing war and hunger and those suffering from poverty.

 

He has expressed diverse views on a wide range of issues, from climate change to wealth inequality and the role of women in the Catholic Church.

 

Reuters has described Pope Francis as someone who has shaken up the Catholic Church. The media wrote: After the resignation of Pope Benedict, the church was deeply divided, and in such circumstances Pope Francis took over its administration.

 

Reuters wrote: Conservatives were unhappy with the pope from the beginning because of his different and informal style of work, his aversion to pomp and circumstance, as well as his decision to allow women and Muslims to participate in the Holy Thursday mass, which was previously limited to men only.

 

The Vatican confirmed the news of Pope Francis' death today, while yesterday it said in a statement that the pope had met with Trump's vice president J.D. Vance on Sunday. The statement said that Vance, who is a Catholic himself, had a disagreement with the pope over the Trump administration's immigration policies. Vance had visited Pope Francis' residence yesterday to congratulate him on Easter.

 

Reuters wrote about Pope Francis' performance: He enjoyed considerable international credibility, both for his calls for social justice and for his risky political actions. He made more than 45 international trips.

 

In 2014, secret Vatican-brokered contacts led to a rapprochement between the United States and Cuba. In 2018, the pope guided the Vatican to a landmark agreement on the appointment of bishops in China, which conservatives criticized as selling out the church to Beijing.

 

Under Pope Francis, the Vatican and the United Nations have joined forces to hold international conferences on climate change, and in June 2015 he issued an encyclical calling for action to save the planet. He told Reuters in a 2018 interview that Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement in 2015 had troubled him “because the future of humanity is at stake.”

 

Throughout his ministry, Pope Francis has spoken out on refugee rights and criticized countries that turn away migrants. He visited the Greek island of Lesbos, bringing dozens of refugees to Italy on his plane, and has called on church institutions to work to prevent human trafficking and modern slavery.

 

USA Today also wrote in an article titled "Who Will Choose the Next Pope?": A group of cardinals, or the highest-ranking church officials based in the Vatican or around the world, gather in Rome to choose the next pope. The College of Cardinals also heads the church in the interim. In the event of a natural death or the rare act of retirement, a successor must be elected after the papal seat becomes vacant. The Roman Catholic Church has about 1.3 billion members worldwide, and a pope's funeral usually draws millions of mourners to Rome.

 

Pope John Paul II's funeral in 2005 was attended by about 4 million people in Rome and the Vatican. World leaders often attend the ceremony. According to church doctrine, a funeral is normally held four to six days after a pope's death. Popes are not autopsied, and funerals are held for nine days after death. Church doctrine requires that a pope be buried four to six days after his death, unless there are extenuating circumstances.

 

Usually, within 15 to 20 days of the vacated papal seat, the cardinal electorate gathers in the Sistine Chapel to begin the secret balloting process. Throughout this period, cardinals are sworn to silence and are prohibited from contacting the outside world.

 

Reactions

In a message, Islamic Republic of Iran President Masoud Pezizkian offered condolences on the passing of Pope Francis.

 

In this message, the president, while offering condolences on the passing of Pope Francis, stated: Among the highlights of his life and leadership were his humanitarian stances against inhumane behavior in the world, especially his outspoken stances and condemnation of the Israeli regime’s genocide in Gaza and his demand to end the killing of innocent women and children.

It was the Palestinian sin that will keep his name and memory alive forever in the minds of all the awakened and freedom-loving consciences of the world.

 

Argentine President Javier Milli said he learned of Pope Francis’ death this morning with “deep sadness.” His office also paid tribute to the legacy left by the pontiff, who became the first Argentine to lead the Catholic Church in 2013.

 

“Despite the differences that now seem insignificant, it was a great honor for me to have had the opportunity to know him, with his kindness and wisdom,” Milli wrote in a message on the social network X. He addressed the pope by his real name, Jorge Bergoglio.

 

In a message on the social network X, the future German chancellor wrote in response to Pope Francis’ death: “He will be remembered for his tireless commitment to the weakest members of society.” Friedrich Mertz wrote: “He lived with humanity and hope in God’s mercy.”

 

French President Emmanuel Macron also offered his condolences on the death of Pope Francis.

 

Macron said: "Throughout his ministry, Pope Francis has always been at the side of the most vulnerable and fragile people, and he has done so with great humility. In this time of war and barbarity, he had a different feeling for the most fragile."

 

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "I join millions of people around the world in mourning Pope Francis. His leadership at a complex and challenging time for the world and the Church was courageous. But it always came from deep humility."

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin also offered his condolences to the leader of the world's Catholics, Pope Francis, in a message.

 

Putin called the Pope an outstanding figure and said he would always have fond memories of him. The Russian president said: Pope Francis actively promoted dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, as well as constructive interaction between Russia and the Vatican. Putin added: "I have had the opportunity to communicate with this outstanding figure many times and will always have the brightest memories of him."

 

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said: "Putin had great respect for the late Pope Francis; they met several times and had great respect for each other."

 

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schiff said that the world Catholic community bids farewell to a leader who recognized and drew attention to the pressing issues of our time.

 

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also wrote in a message on the X social network: "The Pope inspired millions of people outside the Catholic Church. He inspired with his humanity and sincere love for people in vulnerable situations."

 

The White House also responded to Pope Francis’ death by posting a message on the X Messenger with the message “Rest in Peace” along with photos of Trump and Chi Di Vance meeting with him. Trump visited the Vatican in 2017, while Vance met briefly with him on Sunday, just a day before the pope’s death.

 

Italian President Sergio Mattarella wrote: “I learned with great sadness of the death of Pope Francis and feel a great void, because he was always a reference for me. His teachings were reminiscent of the Gospel message, which aimed to create interdependence between peoples, to serve the most vulnerable, to promote international cooperation and peace among peoples.”

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote about the late Pope in a message he posted on the X channel: “He knew how to give hope, to alleviate suffering and to create unity through prayer. He prayed for peace in Ukraine and for the Ukrainian people. We share the grief of Catholics and all Christians who received spiritual support from the Pope.” May his memory live on.

 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said he was "deeply moved" by the death of Pope Francis. He also wrote on Twitter: "In these hours of grief and remembrance, I express my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. Pope Francis will always be remembered by millions around the world as a beacon of kindness and compassion, humility and spiritual courage."

 

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albines also said in a televised address that flags on government buildings would be flown at half-mast on Tuesday as a mark of respect for the late pontiff. "For all Australian Catholics, he was a selfless hero and a loving father. Pope Francis demonstrated his faith in word and deed. He was truly a spiritual leader."

 

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Loews also responded, describing Pope Francis as a “humble man” whose legacy was an unwavering commitment to the vulnerable, social justice and interfaith dialogue.

 

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Francis “was a pioneer in interfaith harmony, peace and the promotion of humanity.” The Pakistani official described the Pope’s death as “an irreparable loss for the entire world.”

 

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Pope Francis’ death was “a loss for all of humanity because he was a strong voice in support of justice and peace, a champion for the poor and marginalized, and a champion of dialogue between religions and cultures.”