'Deeply pained': Modi, Meloni, other world leaders react to Pope Francis' passing away
Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican said in a video statement on Monday. He was 88, and had recently suffered a serious bout of double pneumonia.
Also read: Pope Francis dies at 88, says Vatican
Who next after Pope Francis? Details of cremation, mourning
Following are the reactions to his death:
India’s PM Modi said, “Deeply pained by the passing of his holiness Pope Francis.”
Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the… pic.twitter.com/QKod5yTXrB
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2025
Congress on Monday mourned the loss of Pope Francis, who passed at the age of 88, while calling his death as loss to the entire world. In his condolence message, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "The entire world is saddened by the passing away of Pope Francis who will be seen by posterity as being hugely consequential."
The entire world is saddened by the passing away of Pope Francis who will be seen by posterity as being hugely consequential.
He was a consistent champion of inter-religious understanding and engagement. He was also a greatly influential force for global peace and harmony who… pic.twitter.com/VW93tJnKHR
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) April 21, 2025
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi paid his respects as well.
Deeply saddened by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a global voice of compassion, justice, and peace.
He stood by the downtrodden and the marginalised, spoke fearlessly against inequality, and inspired millions across faiths with his message of love and humanity.
My… pic.twitter.com/2UeQhA1KFW
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 21, 2025
Moscow patriarchate stated that Pope Francis played a significant role in active development of contacts between Russian Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed wrote, “I extend my deepest condolences on the passing of Pope Francis. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy of compassion, humility, and service to humanity continue to inspire generations to come.”
I extend my deepest condolences on the passing of Pope Francis @Pontifex. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy of compassion, humility, and service to humanity continue to inspire generations to come. pic.twitter.com/TBQQ9kT0NG
— Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 (@AbiyAhmedAli) April 21, 2025
JD Vance reacted, saying, “I just leaned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.”
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…
— JD Vance (@JDVance) April 21, 2025
Italy PM Meloni said, “Pope’s death makes us deeply sad, he was a great man and, a great shepherd.”
Papa Francesco è tornato alla casa del Padre. Una notizia che ci addolora profondamente, perché ci lascia un grande uomo e un grande pastore. Ho avuto il privilegio di godere della sua amicizia, dei suoi consigli e dei suoi insegnamenti, che non sono mai venuti meno neanche nei… pic.twitter.com/pkRco1tgD3
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) April 21, 2025
Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz said, “Pope Francis would be remembered for tireless commitment to the society’s weakest members.”
“He was guided by humility and faith in God’s mercy,” Merz said in a post on X.
Der Tod von Papst Franziskus erfüllt mich mit großer Trauer. Franziskus wird in Erinnerung bleiben für seinen unermüdlichen Einsatz für die Schwächsten der Gesellschaft, für Gerechtigkeit und Versöhnung. Demut und der Glaube an die Barmherzigkeit Gottes leiteten ihn dabei. Damit…
— Friedrich Merz (@_FriedrichMerz) April 21, 2025
Israel’s president Isaac Herzog, meanwhile, said on X, “A man of deep faith and boundless compassion, he dedicated his life to uplifting the poor and calling for peace in a troubled world,” Herzog said of Francis. “I truly hope that his prayers for peace in the Middle East and for the safe return of the hostages (in Gaza) will soon be answered.”
I send my 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. A man of deep faith and boundless compassion, he dedicated his life to uplifting the…
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) April 21, 2025
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, president of the catholic bishops conference of the Philippines expressed shock and sorrow, “Oh my God. I am so shocked by this. Let us please ring the bells of our churches and call our people to prayer for the eternal repose of the Holy Father Pope Francis who passed on just about ten minutes ago.”
Polish president Duda said, “He was a great apostle of mercy, in whom he saw the answer to the challenges of the modern world.”
Do Domu Ojca odszedł dziś Papież Franciszek. W swojej posłudze duszpasterskiej kierował się pokorą i skromnością.
Za papieską dewizę obrał słowa swojego zawołania biskupiego: „Miserando atque eligendo” („Spojrzał z miłosierdziem i wybrał”).
Był wielkim apostołem Miłosierdzia, w…
— Andrzej Duda (@AndrzejDuda) April 21, 2025
French President Emmanuel Macron said that 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,” Macron told reporters. He also made a post on X.
De Buenos Aires à Rome, le Pape François voulait que l’Église apporte la joie et l’espoir aux plus pauvres. Qu’elle unisse les Hommes entre eux et avec la nature. Puisse cette espérance ressusciter sans cesse au-delà de lui.
À tous les Catholiques,… pic.twitter.com/oFKBJwaweH
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 21, 2025
East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta said on Monday the death of Pope Francis was a tremendous loss for the world, not just Christians.
The president of Asia’s youngest, predominantly-Catholic nation told Reuters flags in East Timor would be flown at half-mast for one week to honour the late pontiff’s life and a mass would also be held in his honour.
Pope Francis was in every way a man of the people, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said in a statement on X.
“The global Catholic community bids farewell to a leader who recognised the burning issues of our day and called attention to them. With his sober way of life, acts of service and compassion, Pope Francis was a role model for many – Catholics and non-Catholics alike. We remember him with great respect,” Schoof said.
Pope Francis was in every way a man of the people. The global Catholic community bids farewell to a leader who recognised the burning issues of our day and called attention to them. With his sober way of life, acts of service and compassion, Pope Francis was a role model for many…
— Dick Schoof (@MinPres) April 21, 2025
Swiss president Karin Keller-Sutter said Pope Francis was a great spiritual leader, a tireless advocate for peace, his legacy will remain.
He was a great spiritual leader, a tireless advocate for peace, and his human warmth was a comfort not only to Catholics. Pope Francis @Pontifex has left us. His legacy will remain. pic.twitter.com/zHcBjKbgYB
— Karin Keller-Sutter (@keller_sutter) April 21, 2025
