World leaders react to the death of Pope Francis

World leaders remembered Pope Francis as "a beacon of compassion", reacting with sadness after the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics died on Monday.

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

'Love and compassion': Egypt

Egyptian President Fattah al-Sisi said the death of Pope Francis "is a profound loss for the entire world, as he was a voice of peace, love and compassion".

He said the pope "worked tirelessly to promote tolerance and build bridges of dialogue... and was a champion of the Palestinian cause, defending legitimate rights and calling for an end to conflict".

'A faithful friend': Palestinian president

"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".

'A loss for humanity': Lebanon

"We will never forget his repeated calls to protect Lebanon and preserve its identity and diversity," Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said.

He called Pope Francis's death "a loss for all humanity, for he was a powerful voice for justice and peace" who urged "dialogue between religions and cultures".

'A respected statesman': Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday hailed Pope Francis for his efforts to further dialogue between different faiths.

"A respected statesman, Pope Francis was a spiritual leader who placed great importance on dialogue between different faith groups," he wrote on X, saying he was also someone who took "initiative in the face of humanitarian tragedies, especially the Palestinian issue".

'In the hearts of all awakened consciences and freedom-seekers': Iran

"With sorrow, I offer my condolences on the passing of Pope Francis, the leader and spiritual guide of the world's Catholics," Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a statement posted on his official website.

The president of Muslim-majority Iran said the pontiff's name and memory would remain "in the hearts of all awakened consciences and freedom-seekers" for his humanitarian stances, including the "condemnation of the genocide committed by the Israeli regime in Gaza".

'Rest in peace': US

US President Donald Trump paid his respects Monday to Pope Francis, writing "Rest in Peace" in a short post on his Truth Social platform.

"Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!" Trump said.

Former US president Joe Biden paid tribute on Monday to late Pope Francis, saying he was "unlike any who came before him" and 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.

'Stood for brotherly mankind': France

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".

'A great man has left us': Italy

"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.

'He profoundly touched the lives of so many': United Kingdom

King Charles III said he was "deeply saddened" by the death of Pope Francis, and that he had been "greatly moved" to visit him earlier this month with his wife Queen Camilla.

"Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many," said King Charles, who is also the head of the Church of England.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Pope Francis's leadership was "courageous" and the pope "never lost hope of a better world".

"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," Starmer said in a statement, with flags set to fly at half-mast on UK government buildings for a day in his honour.

'We grieve together': Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday mourned the death of Pope Francis, saying the Catholic leader had "prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians."

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

'Defender' of 'humanism and justice': Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the late Pope Francis as a "defender" of "humanism and justice", and praised his efforts to promote dialogue between the Orthodox and Catholic churches.

Putin praised "wise" Pope Francis as a "consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice," in a letter to the Vatican published by the Kremlin, adding he had "actively promoted dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches."

'To have known him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honor for me': Argentina

Argentine President Javier Milei paid tribute Monday to Pope Francis's "wisdom" despite the pair's "differences", following the pontiff's death aged 88.

"In spite of differences that today seem minor, to have known him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honor for me," Milei posted on X.

'Transformative spiritual leader': Venezuela

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro mourned the passing of Pope Francis, hailing his work to battle inequalities in a statement released by the foreign ministry.

"Pope Francis was a transformative spiritual leader, whose clear and courageous voice denounced the inequalities of the dominant system and called for building a more humane, fairer and deeply supportive world," the statement read.

'A beacon of compassion': India

"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-around development."

'Message of love and solidarity to humanity': South Korea

South Korea's acting President Han Duck-soo paid tribute to the late Pope Francis on Monday, describing his life's work as one "of love and solidarity" for all people.

"Through his teaching that 'we are all brothers and sisters,' the Holy Father delivered a message of love and solidarity to humanity," Han said in a letter of condolence shared on X.

'Strong ties': Israel

"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.

Pope Francis was an outspoken critic of Israel's war on Gaza, calling for a truce the day before his death. He even reportedly called for an investigation to determine if Israel's war on Gaza constitutes genocide

'Distinguished papacy': Ireland

"Pope Francis' long and distinguished papacy was marked by his unwavering commitment to the principles of compassion, peace and human dignity" Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin said, adding that he would be remembered for his "expression of pain and shame" about historic child abuses in the Catholic Church during his 2018 visit to Ireland.

'Profound legacy': Spain

"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.

Spain will also observe three days of mourning to honour Pope Francis after the Argentine pontiff's death.

'Indefatigable commitment': Germany

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".

'We bid you farewell': Hungary

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said "Thank you for everything, Holy Father. We bid you farewell", in a short Facebook post following Pope Francis's death.

The nationalist premier accompanied his message with a photo of one of his meetings with Francis, who praised the Church's renewal in Hungary while urging Europe to take in more migrants.

'Heart open to all': Philippines

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos joined the global outpouring of grief over the death of Pope Francis on Monday, calling him a man of "profound faith and humility".

"Pope Francis led not only with wisdom but with a heart open to all, especially the poor and forgotten," said Marcos, who leads Asia's bastion of Catholicism. "It is a profoundly sad day," he said on his Facebook page.

'Service to humanity': Ethiopia

"May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy of compassion, humility, and service to humanity continue to inspire generations to come," Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said.

'Servant leadership': Kenya

"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."

'Tireless champion of the poor': Nigeria

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu on Monday mourned the passing of Pope Francis, whom he called a "tireless champion of the poor" and the world's "most trenchant voice" against climate change.

"Today, with a heavy heart, I join the Catholic faithful and Christians worldwide in mourning the passing of Pope Francis," Tinubu said in a statement. "Alas, the Lord called him home... making the world lose its most trenchant voice for justice and action against climate change."

'Extraordinary life story': South Africa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute on Monday to the late Pope Francis's "extraordinary life story" and praised his efforts to promote inclusion.

The 88-year-old Argentine pontiff "advanced a world view of inclusion, equality and care for marginalised individuals and groups, as well as responsible and sustainable custody of the natural environment", Ramaphosa said in a statement.

'Dedicated himself to the service of others': Dalai Lama

Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama praised Pope Francis on Monday, offering Buddhist prayers and writing to the papal envoy to "express his sadness" at his death.

"Pope Francis dedicated himself to the service of others... consistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful life," the Buddhist leader said in a statement from his base in exile in India.

"The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warm-hearted person, serving others wherever and in whatever way we can".

From : Al-Ahram