VATICAN CITY/WASHINGTON/ISLAM­ABAD: 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.

Pope loved the world

President Donald Trump and his White House predecessor Joe Biden led the way in paying respects from the United States to Pope Francis.

Trump, who has had a sometimes thorny relationship with the Vatican, ordered US flags to be flown at half-staff at the White House, and at federal property across the world. “He was a good man, he worked hard and loved the world,” Trump said at a White House event marking Easter.

PM Shehbaz expresses deep sorrow over death of Pope Francis

He had earlier posted on social media: “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!” Biden, who was only the second Roman Catholic to serve as US president, hailed the late pope as “unlike any who came before him.” “Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time and I am better for having known him,” Biden wrote on X alongside a picture of him and Pope Francis.

Symbol of peace and humanity

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday expressed deep grief and sorrow over death of the head of Roman Catholic Church. In a message, the prime minister said that Pope Francis always guided billions of people to promote peace and love.

“Late Pope Francis was a symbol of inter-faith harmony, peace, and humanity,” the prime minister remarked. The prime minister said under his leadership, the Catholic Church spread the message of affection, tolerance, and mutual respect worldwide.

The message of Pope Francis was a source of inspiration for not only the Christians but for also the followers of all the religions. “Pope Francis’ recent statement on Easter calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Palestine, and an end to the human rights violation, reflects his peace-loving personality and love for humanity,” the prime minister added. Paying tribute to the services of late Pope Francis, the prime minister said his efforts to bring together communities of different faiths would always be remembered.

Defender of justice

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Pope 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”.

Prayed for peace

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Pope Francis “prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians”. “We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians,” Zelensky wrote on social media.

Courageous

“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”.

Wise despite ‘differences’

“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 Pope Francis.

Stood for mankind

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

“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.

‘A beacon of compassion’

“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.”

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2025