Pope Francis (1936-2025) World leaders pay tribute to 'Beacon of Compassion'

VATICAN CITY: World leaders remembered Pope Francis as “a beacon of compassion”, as the death on Monday of the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics prompted a global outpouring of grief.

Here are some of the first reactions to the death of the 88-year-old pontiff:

'Dedicated life to promoting peace': Mohamed Bin Zayed

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed mourned the passing of Pope Francis, the Catholic spiritual leader who passed away on Easter Monday at 88.

“I extend my deepest condolences to Catholics around the world on the passing of Pope Francis, who dedicated his life to promoting the principles of peaceful coexistence and understanding. May he rest in peace,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on X. and the first from the Jesuit order.

'Deeply saddened': Mohammed Bin Rashid 

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE ad Rule5r of Dubai also mourned the passing away of the pontiff. “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis @Pontifex, a great leader whose compassion and commitment to peace touched countless lives. His legacy of humility and interfaith unity will continue to inspire many communities around the world,” Sheikh Mohammed posted on X. 

“Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!,” US President Donald Trump, who clashed with the Argentine pontiff on a number of issues, wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Francis “prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians”.

“We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians,” Zelensky wrote on social media.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Francis was a “wise” religious leader, a “statesman” and a “consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice,” who “actively promoted dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches”.

Former US president Joe Biden said Francis was “unlike any who came before him”, hailing his record of fighting for peace and equity.

“Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time and I am better for having known him,” Biden, a staunch Catholic, wrote on X alongside a picture of him and the Pope.

“His leadership in a complex and challenging time for the world and the church was courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

King Charles, who is also the head of the Church of England, said he was “deeply saddened” by Francis’s death, adding: “Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many”.

“In spite of differences that today seem minor, to have known him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honour for me,” Argentine President Javier Milei posted on X of his countryman Francis.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised Francis as a “respected statesman”.

The leader of the Muslim-majority nation also called Francis “a spiritual leader who placed great importance on dialogue between different faith groups”, who took “initiative in the face of humanitarian tragedies, especially the Palestinian issue”.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the pope had always been “on the side of the most vulnerable and the most fragile” and that he had stood for “brotherly humankind”.

“Pope Francis has returned to the Father’s home. It is deeply sad news, because a great man has left us,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.

“Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

“I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development.”

“He rightly saw great importance in fostering strong ties with the Jewish world and in advancing interfaith dialogue as a path toward greater understanding and mutual respect,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog said.

“Today, we lost a faithful friend of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights,” Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said, noting that the pope “recognised the Palestinian state and authorised the Palestinian flag to be raised in the Vatican”.

“I am sorry to hear of the death of Pope Francis. His commitment to peace, social justice and the most vulnerable leaves a profound legacy. Rest in peace,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said.

Incoming German chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed “great sorrow” and described Pope Francis as a man “guided by humility and faith”.

He said the pontiff “will remain in our memories for his indefatigable commitment” to “the most vulnerable, for justice and for reconciliation”.

“He exemplified servant leadership through his humility, his unwavering commitment to inclusivity and justice, and his deep compassion for the poor and the vulnerable,” Kenyan President William Ruto said.

“His strong ethical and moral convictions inspired millions across the world, regardless of faith or background.”

“Pope Francis led not only with wisdom but with a heart open to all, especially the poor and forgotten,” said Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, calling him a man of “profound faith and humility”.