World leaders have paid glowing tributes to the shocking news of the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday morning.
Announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell in a statement released by the Vatican, he praised the pontiff for a life “dedicated to service” and for his particular attention to “the poorest and most marginalised.”
On Easter Sunday, Pope Francis – who was 88, had recently suffered a serious bout of double pneumonia – made his final public appearance, blessing babies and greeting people in St Peter’s Square.
President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu who condoled with the Catholic Church, the global Catholic community, and the Christian faithful, over the death, described Pope Francis as a humble servant of God, tireless champion of the poor, and guiding light for millions.
“His passing, coming just after the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection, is a sacred return to his Maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians. His Holiness served the Church and the Master of the Church until the end. In 2013, he stepped onto the global stage with a message of mercy, urging us to see the face of Christ in the marginalised, the refugees, the migrants, and the forgotten”, President Tinubu notes.
He observes that Pope Francis challenged the powerful to act with justice, called nations to welcome the stranger, and reminded mankind that its common home, this earth, was a gift that must be protect for future generations.
“In a time of division, he built bridges between faiths and the rich and the poor. He was a steadfast advocate for the developing world, where he consistently spoke against economic injustice and ceaselessly prayed for peace and stability in troubled regions.
Through his pastoral letters, the Pope offered spiritual clarity and hope in an increasingly complex world. He charted a path of renewal for all humanity through his words and deeds.
“In my 2025 Easter Message, I joined the Christian faithful in thanksgiving for the convalescing Pontiff. I was happy to watch his appearance to deliver the traditional Easter Sunday blessing in St. Peter’s Basilica.
He extols the Pope Francis for promoting interfaith harmony and confronting global inequality.
Recalling his Easter message, Tinubu expressed joy at the Pope’s final appearance, saying, “Alas, the Lord called him home a day later.”
President Tinubu stresses that as the faithful mourn the late Pontiff, they should also celebrate his legacy, honour him not with words alone but with action, by lifting those who are down, healing communities, and defending the dignity of every person.
King Charles
In a statement from Buckingham Palace, the King hailed Pope Francis for touching “the lives of so many”.
The King and Queen met the pontiff earlier this month, during a visit to Italy.
He said in the statement: “My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis.
“His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
One of the first to pay tribute was from Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, who said she was deeply saddened by his death.
She wrote: “I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice and his teachings, which never failed even in moments of trial and suffering.”
Discussing his Via Crucis meditations, she said, “He asked the world, once again, for the courage to change direction, to follow a path that ‘does not destroy, but cultivates, repairs, protects’.”
She went on: “We will walk in this direction, to seek the path of peace, pursue the common good and build a more just and equitable society. His teaching and his legacy will not be lost.
“We greet the Holy Father with hearts full of sadness, but we know that he is now in the peace of the Lord.”
US leaders past and present
US President, Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!”
Later speaking at an Easter event at the White House, Mr Trump said: “He was a good man, worked hard. He loved the world.”
He said it would be “an honour” to fly all flags across America at half-staff to honour the memory of Pope Francis.
US vice president JD Vance, who briefly met with Pope Francis on Easter Sunday, wrote on X: “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.”
Sharing the text of the prayer Pope Francis delivered in March 2020, Mr Vance went on: “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 of COVID. It was really quite beautiful.”
Mr Vance added: “May God rest his soul.”
Former US leader Joe Biden posted a photo of him previously meeting the pope, calling him “unlike any who came before him”.
He said he would be remembered “as one of the most consequential leaders of our time,” adding, “and I am better for having known him”.
Mr Biden went on: “For decades, he served the most vulnerable across Argentina and his mission of serving the poor never ceased. As Pope, he was a loving pastor and challenging teacher who reached out to different faiths.
“He commanded us to fight for peace and protect our planet from a climate crisis. He advocated for the voiceless and powerless. He made all feel welcome and seen by the Church. He promoted equity and an end to poverty and suffering across the globe. And above all, he was a Pope for everyone. He was the People’s Pope – a light of faith, hope, and love.”
UK leaders past and present
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of the pope’s death, writing on X: “His tireless efforts to promote a world that is fairer for all will leave a lasting legacy. On behalf of the people of the United Kingdom, I share my sincerest condolences to the whole Catholic Church.”
In a longer statement attached to his post, he said he joined millions around the world grieving Pope Francis’s death, going on to praise his leadership in “complex and challenging” times, saying it was “courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility”.
Sir Keir wrote: “Pope Francis was a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten. He was close to the realities of human fragility, meeting Christians around the world facing war, famine, persecution and poverty. Yet he never lost the faith-fuelled hope of a better world.
“That hope was as the heart of his papacy. His determination to visibly live out his faith inspired people across the world to see afresh the church’s teachings of mercy and charity.
“With his death, we are reminded once more of his call to care for one another across different faiths, backgrounds, nations and beliefs.”
Former UK leaders also paid tribute, including ex-prime minister Tony Blair, who converted to Catholicism in 2007 after leaving Downing Street.
Mr Blair wrote on X: “Pope Francis was an extraordinary and devoted servant of the Catholic Church, admired both within and beyond it for his humility, compassion and unwavering commitment to the Christian faith and the service of all humanity – Christian and non-Christian alike. Cherie and I are deeply saddened by his passing. May he rest in peace.”
Gordon Brown, who succeeded Mr Blair in office, wrote on X: “Great sadness at the death of Pope Francis whose unselfish life of service and moral leadership will always be an inspiration to millions of people.”
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said of Pope Francis: “He urged us to remember all we hold in common and he asked the world to hear the cry of the earth – our common home.”
He added that government flags would fly at half-mast as a sign of respect to the late pontiff.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei
Pope Francis was born and brought up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as the son of Italian immigrants.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei wrote on X: “It is with profound sorrow that I learned this sad morning that Pope Francis, Jorge Bergoglio, passed away today and is now resting in peace.
“Despite differences that seem minor today, having been able to know him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honor for me.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X: “He knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer, and foster unity. He prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians.
“We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians who looked to Pope Francis for spiritual support. Eternal memory!”
Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin paid tribute, with the Kremlin sharing his statement.
Mr Putin said: “Pope Francis enjoyed great international authority as a faithful servant of Christian teaching, a wise religious and statesman, and a consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice.
“Throughout his pontificate, he actively promoted the development of dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, as well as constructive interaction between Russia and the Holy See.
“I had the opportunity to communicate with this outstanding person on many occasions, and I will forever preserve the brightest memories of him.”
Mr Putin also sent a message to Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell offering his condolences.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared pictures of him embracing Pope Francis on X, and said he was “deeply pained” by his loss and offered his “heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community”.
Mr Modi wrote: “Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world.
“From a young age, he devoted himself towards realising the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope.
“I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development.
“His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God’s embrace.”
French President Emmanuel Macron
French President, Emmanuel Macron wrote: “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”.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X: “With the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church and the world lose an advocate for the weak, a reconciling and warm-hearted person.
“I greatly appreciated his clear view of the challenges we face. My sympathies go out to the religious community worldwide.”
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog wrote 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.”
Referring to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, he added: “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.”
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas mourned Pope Francis as a loyal friend of the Palestinian people and a global advocate for peace and justice.
Mr Abbas shared a photo of the pope praying for peace at the separation wall during his visit to Bethlehem in 2014 and highlighted Pope Francis’s calls to end the war in Gaza.
Cause of Pope Francis death
The Vatican on Monday stated that Pope Francis died of a stroke.
It stated that Pope Francis fell into a coma after suffering a stroke and ultimately experienced “irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.’’
Dr Andrea Arcangeli, head of the Vatican’s health department, revealed the Pontiff’s cause of death in a statement he issued.
Arcangeli said that in addition to the cerebral stroke, Pope Francis was suffering from pneumonia in both lungs, which led to episodes of respiratory insufficiency.
The Catholic Pontiff died at the age of 88 in his residence in the Vatican on Easter Monday.
His death followed more than two months of struggling with his health.
The late Pontiff battled severe respiratory infections and, at times, required high flows of supplemental oxygen and at least one emergency blood transfusion.
He was initially admitted to Gemelli Hospital in the Italian capital, Rome, for 38 days.
Pope Francis was first rushed to hospital on 14 February for bronchitis.
