Political and religious leaders around the world pay tribute to Pope Francis

Presidents, monarchs, and spiritual figures from every continent expressed their sorrow for the death of Pope Francis and highlighted his closeness to the most humble, his role as a moral guide, and his tireless work for peace, equity, and interfaith dialogue.

The news of Pope Francis's death, which occurred on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, at Casa Santa Marta, shocked the planet, and condolences poured in: from Washington to Cairo, leaders, former presidents, and religious figures mourned his passing with messages full of affection, respect, and admiration.

The Argentine Supreme Pontiff was not only the head of the Catholic Church, but also a key figure of the 21st century, admired for his commitment to the excluded, his preaching of social justice, and his tireless pursuit of world peace.

In the United States, the government expressed its condolences with a social media post: "Rest in peace, Pope Francis," accompanied by images of the pontiff with Donald Trump and JD Vance. Then, US President Donald Trump himself posted on Truth Social: "God bless him and all who loved him!"

Vance, the current vice president, who met with the Pope the day before his death, wrote: "My condolences go out to the millions of Christians around the world. I was glad to see him yesterday, even though he was obviously very sick."

Joe Biden also joined the mourning: "He will be remembered as one of the greatest leaders of our time."

From Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum defined Pope Francis as "a humanist who chose the poor." In Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted his fight for "a more fraternal humanity," and Spanish President Pedro Sánchez emphasized his legacy in favor of "the most vulnerable."

King Felipe VI went further, stating that "his conviction to provide comfort to those in need will continue to inspire us." Similarly, Italian Giorgia Meloni spoke of a loss that "leaves us without a great man," and German Friedrich Merz praised his "humility and faith."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recalled his prayers for peace in Ukraine and his commitment to alleviating suffering. "He knew how to give hope," he wrote. In Ireland, Prime Minister Michael Martin described him as a person "committed to human dignity" and recalled his 2018 apology for abuses committed in the Church. Moving words also came from Asia and Africa.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called him "a voice of peace and compassion" and praised his defense of "the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people." In Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan reflected on his role in interfaith dialogue and his actions in the face of "humanitarian tragedies, such as that in Gaza."

In northern Europe, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk remembered him as "a warm and sensible man." From the United Kingdom, Charles III spoke of his "devotion, compassion, and pursuit of unity" in a message that also evoked his personal encounters with Francis. Pope Francis was a figure capable of building bridges where there were none, of fostering consensus in times of fragmentation, and of bringing words of comfort where pain reigned.

In Asia, Sri Lanka bid him farewell with respect. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of a predominantly Buddhist country, recognized his role in promoting interfaith harmony. That same day, the Vatican declared the 167 Catholics killed in the Easter 2019 attacks "witnesses of the faith," a symbolic gesture that marks the continuity of the pontiff's pastoral sensitivity. From India, the Dalai Lama expressed his sadness and praised his simple life, "dedicated to serving others." He asserted that "the best tribute we can pay him is to be kind."

From Moscow, Vladimir Putin also joined the tribute. He described him as "a wise leader and defender of justice" and praised his contribution to the rapprochement between the Russian Orthodox and Catholic churches. African Union President Mahmoud Ali Youssouf praised him for his "great moral voice" and acknowledged his support for the African people: "He amplified the voices of those who had none and showed solidarity with those suffering from conflict and poverty."

In Argentina, his native land, the messages echoed the memory of the Supreme Pontiff as a figure of enormous significance to humanity, a symbol of peace, humility, and commitment to those most in need. One of the first to speak was Argentine President Javier Milei, who bid farewell to the leader of the Catholic Church "with profound sorrow."

"He passed away today and rests in peace. Despite the differences that seem insignificant today, having known him in his kindness and wisdom was a true honor for me," the president wrote. "As President, as an Argentine, and, fundamentally, as a man of faith, I bid farewell to the Holy Father and extend my condolences to all of us who are faced with this sad news today," he wrote in a message on social media.

Minutes earlier, the Argentine Presidency issued an official statement expressing its sorrow for the pontiff's death and extending its condolences to the Bergoglio family. The Argentine government declared seven days of mourning.