‘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

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Following are the reactions to his death:

India’s PM Modi said, “Deeply pained by the passing of his holiness Pope Francis.”

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

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi paid his respects as well.

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.”

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.”

Italy PM Meloni said, “Pope’s death makes us deeply sad, he was a great man and, a great shepherd.”

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

Swiss president Karin Keller-Sutter said Pope Francis was a great spiritual leader, a tireless advocate for peace, his legacy will remain.

World