By Jamey Kealen, Associated Press
Lyon, France (AP) – The bells of the church penetrated in mourning. Sympathizers faded on benches. Tributes to Pope Francis flocking around the world on Monday after the Vatican announced the death of the pontiff at 88 years old.
The 266th Pope was congratulated for its revolutionary stages to honor the poor and vulnerable; seek to put an end to conflicts like those of the Middle East, Ukraine and Africa; protect the environment; And guide the Catholic Church towards greater tolerance of gays and lesbians, among others. Some criticisms say that he has not always gone far enough. Others said he had gone too far.
Many recalled his heritage as the first Pope in Latin America, and the first Jesuit to reach the top of the church hierarchy, one who highlighted humility on pride for a church besieged with scandal and indifference.
Here is an overview of some of the world reactions one day after its last public appearance on Easter Sunday to bless thousands of people in Saint-Pierre square.
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A store owner places a black ribbon on a photo of the late Pope Francis after the news of his death at the age of 88, in Bethlehem, in the West Bank, Monday April 21, 2025. (AP photo / Mahmoud Ilan)
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A store owner places a black ribbon on a photo of the late Pope Francis after the news of his death at the age of 88, in Bethlehem, in the West Bank, Monday April 21, 2025. (AP photo / Mahmoud Ilan)
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– US vice-president JD VanceWho met the Pope on Easter Sunday before going to India, wrote on social networks that his “heart comes out” to the millions of Christians who loved him and said: “I was happy to see him yesterday, although he was obviously very sick.”
– King Charles III praised the Pope for his work on the safeguard of the planet and alluded to their multiple personal meetings – including a private visit on April 10 at the Vatican. “We were greatly moved for being able to visit him earlier in the month,” the king wrote in a statement signed “Charles R.” It was the Pope’s first known meeting with a foreign dignitary after being hospitalized for five weeks with double pneumonia.
– The bells of the church penetrated in honor of Francis, from the cathedral of Notre Dame recently reopened in Paris to a lonely bell of the parish of St. Bartholomew in Bulacan, in the Philippines, which was 88 times to signify “the 88 fruitful years of our dear Pope Francis”, wrote Le Parish on social networks.
– Martin Pendergast, secretary of Catholics LGBT Westminster in Londonrecalled how Francis looked at sexual orientation beyond and said that he would not judge people who tried to achieve the will of God. “He was the first pope to use the word” gay “, so even the way he speaks was a radical transformation – and some would also say a bit of a revolution – compared to some of his predecessors,” said Pendergast.
– The women’s ordination conference deplored Francis’ reluctance to put pressure on women’s ordination. “His repeated policy of the” closed door “on the ordination of women was painfully incongruous with his otherwise pastoral nature, and for many, a betrayal of the synodal church and listens that he defended,” said the conference. “It made him a complicated, frustrating and sometimes heartbreaking figure for many women.”
– President Emmanuel Macron from FranceA largely Roman Catholic country, focused on the impact of the pope on the church, writing on social networks that “from Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest. So that it unites between them, and with nature. May this hope go beyond it forever. ”
– Italian Prime Minister Giorgia MeloniOne of the few official visitors to see Francis during his recent hospitalization, alluded to the comfort and personal advice of the Pope, saying that “never failed me, not even during a trial and suffering period”. She added: “We say goodbye to a tall man and a large shepherd.”
– The president of Taiwan Lai Ching-te Expressed condolences on social networks and said that people “would continue to be inspired by their lifelong commitment to peace, global solidarity and the care of those who need it.” The Holy See is among the 12 remaining diplomatic allies of Taiwan while China, which claims that Taiwan is self-ray like its own territory, poached the others.
– South African President Cyril Ramaphosa noted “the extraordinary story of life” of the Pope and declared that “Pope Francis had advanced a vision of the world of inclusion, equality and care for individuals and marginalized groups, as well as the responsible and sustainable guard of the natural environment”. Africa has experienced part of the greatest growth of the Catholic Church in recent years.
– The president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen Recalled the pontiff as an inspiration for the whole world, not only Christians. “He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and his love so pure for the less lucky,” she said on social networks. “My thoughts go to all those who feel this deep loss.”
– Israeli president Issac Herzogwhose role is mainly ceremonial, called Francis a man of “deep faith and limitless compassion”. Francis has repeatedly criticized the conduct in wartime of Israel in Gaza and said that the allegations of genocide, to which Israel has categorically denied, should be the subject of an investigation. “I really hope that his prayers for peace in the Middle East and for the safe return of hostages will soon be answered,” said Herzog on social networks.
– The Red Crescent of Palestine Offered condolences to Christians, calling the pope “one of the most eminent supporters of justice and human dignity, including his noble positions concerning the suffering of the Palestinian people and their right to freedom and justice.”
– President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi of EgyptA massively Muslim country, said that Francis leaves behind “a great human heritage which will remain engraved in the consciousness of humanity”.
– President Alexander Van der Bellen d’Austria Recalled how the Pope went to the Italian island of Lampedusa, a key landing point for migrants seeking to reach Europe, to meet refugees and commemorate those who died while trying to cross the Mediterranean. The Austrian leader declared on social networks that the impact of the pope resonated in a large and small manner: “He made sure that the homeless near the Saint-Pierre square could shower. He criticized dehumanizing words and gestures. It was Pope Francis. “
– President Vladimir Putin of Russia Has welcomed the Pope as a “defender coherent in the high values of humanism and justice” and alluded to the efforts of the pontiff to promote interconfessional dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and the Roman Catholic churches. Last year, the Pope suggested that Ukraine should have the courage to negotiate the end of the war with Russia and not to be ashamed to sit at the same table to lead talks. The criticisms said it suggested that he was rolling up with Russia. Francis tried to maintain the traditional diplomatic neutrality of the Vatican during the war, but which was often accompanied by an apparent sympathy with the justification of Russia to invade Ukraine – as when he said that NATO “barked to the door of Russia” with its expansion to the east.
Journalists from the whole world have contributed to this report.
Originally published:
California Daily Newspapers
