Death of Pope Francis World Reaction
Vatican City, Apr 21, 2025 / 10:19 am
Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time on Easter Monday, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, as confirmed by the Holy See Press Office. The 88-year-old pontiff led the Catholic Church for a little more than 12 years.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, officially announced the pope’s death in a video message. “At 7:35 this morning, the bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” Farrell stated.
Follow here for live updates of the latest news and world reactions:
UN secretary-general: Pope Francis was ‘a transcendent voice for peace’
April 21, 2025 at 01:17 pm ET
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday hailed the late Pope Francis as a “transcendent voice for peace, human dignity, and social justice,” praising the departed pontiff for his work reaching out to “those left on the margins of life.”
The pope “was a man of faith for all faiths — working with people of all beliefs and backgrounds to light a path forward,” Guterres said in a press statement.
“Our divided and discordant world will be a much better place if we follow his example of unity and mutual understanding in our own actions,” the leader said.
Trump orders U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff for Pope Francis
April 21, 2025 at 01:10 pm ET
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday ordered U.S. government flags to be flown at half staff in honor of the late Pope Francis.
The president said in a Truth Social post that he made the order “as a mark of respect for the memory” of the departed pontiff.
Flags should be flown at half-staff at “all public buildings and grounds,” including embassies and consular offices, “until sunset on the day of [the pope’s] interment.”
Dalai Lama: Francis ‘dedicated himself to the service of others’
April 21, 2025 at 09:14 am ET
The Dalai Lama on Monday mourned the passing of Pope Francis, urging the world to take up the late pontiff’s example of service and generosity.
The Buddhist leader wrote to Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the apostolic nuncio to India, to “express his sadness on learning that His Holiness Pope Francis has passed away” earlier on Monday.
The pope “dedicated himself to the service of others, consistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful, life,” the Dalai Lama said.
“The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warmhearted person, serving others wherever and in whatever way we can.”
Bishop Barron: Pope Francis was ‘a great pastor’ who brought others to the Gospel
April 21, 2025 at 08:07 am ET
Winona-Rochester Bishop Robert Barron on Monday mourned Pope Francis’ passing, hailing the late pontiff as a “great pastor” who preached “mercy and evangelization” over the course of his pontificate.
Barron noted the pope’s characterization of the Church as “a field hospital to those wounded by our postmodern, relativistic society.”
“Pope Francis had a keen awareness of the destructiveness of sin, and he encouraged the Church to show the world the merciful face of Christ,” the bishop wrote on X.
“On the occasions when he and I spoke, his comments would burn their way into my heart and mind,” he said.
Sydney archbishop: Pope’s death at Easter ‘very special’
April 21, 2025 at 07:47 am ET
Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher on Monday said Pope Francis’ death during Easter is a “very special” sign of grace during the holy season.
Speaking to press at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on Monday, Fisher recalled Pope John Paul II’s death in 2005 around the Easter season. “[John Paul II’s] long suffering was a great sign to us of dignity in suffering and in old age,” Fisher said.
“[A]nd I think that Pope Francis has given similar witness that he persevered through his old age and sickness, kept trying to serve God and serve people to the end,” the prelate added.
“And for him to die at Easter is very special because, as he said himself yesterday, this is when we Christians celebrate eternal life,” the archbishop said.
Argentinian President Milei: ‘A true honor’ to know the first pope from Argentina
April 21, 2025 at 07:44 am ET
Argentinian President Javier Milei on Monday said it was a “true honor” to have known Pope Francis, who was born in Argentina and who served as the first pope from the Americas.
“Despite differences that seem minor today, having been able to know him in his kindness and wisdom was a true honor for me,” Milei said in a post on X.
“As president, as an Argentine, and, fundamentally, as a man of faith, I bid farewell to the Holy Father and stand with all of us who are today dealing with this sad news,” he wrote.
European bishops: Pope Francis ‘tirelessly lead the church with courage and strength’
April 21, 2025 at 07:34 am ET
The European bishops on Monday mourned the passing of Pope Francis by hailing his “desire to bring the joy of the Gospel to the men and women of our time.”
“With profound gratitude and emotion, we remember our Holy Father Francis, who tirelessly led the Church with courage and strength through years marked by multiple crises all over the world,” Latina-Terracina-Sezze-Priverno Bishop Mariano Crociata wrote for the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union on Monday.
“Pope Francis was truly one of the great witnesses of our times, beloved and respected even by nonbelievers, and whose first concern was always directed toward the most fragile members of God’s creation,” Crociata wrote. “His voice spoke to hearts with simplicity and depth, through concrete gestures of love, listening, and closeness.”
“In this jubilee year — one of the Holy Father’s final great efforts — we are grateful to the pope for his constant attention to Europe, always urging us to make it better by strengthening its vocation for peace,” the bishop wrote.
France: Eiffel Tower’s lights will turn off in honor of Pope Francis
April 21, 2025 at 07:26 am ET
The Eiffel Tower’s lights will remain unlit on Monday evening in memory of Pope Francis after the pontiff’s death earlier in the day.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo made the announcement on Monday afternoon, praising the pope as “a man of peace and compassion.”
The mayor also said that at some point a location in Paris will be designated with Francis’ name in honor of the Holy Father.
President Donald Trump: ‘Rest in Peace Pope Francis’
April 21, 2025 at 07:25 am ET
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday asked God to “bless [Pope Francis] and all who loved him” after the Holy Father passed away on Monday morning.
“Rest in Peace Pope Francis!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Vice President JD Vance had earlier issued a statement mourning the pontiff’s passing. “My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him,” the vice president said on a post on X.
European Union leader: Pope’s legacy will bring about ‘more compassionate world’
April 21, 2025 at 06:13 am ET
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday after the death of Pope Francis that the late pontiff “inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate.”
Expressing condolences to “all who feel this profound loss,” von der Leyen wrote: “May they find solace in the idea that Pope Francis’ legacy will continue to guide us all toward a more just, peaceful, and compassionate world.”
Francis and von der Leyen met several times over the course of his pontificate.
EWTN CEO Michael Warsaw: Pope’s passing a ‘moment of personal grief’ for Catholics
April 21, 2025 at 06:04 am ET
EWTN Chairman of the Board and CEO Michael Warsaw on Monday mourned the passing of Pope Francis, calling the pontiff’s death at 88 on Monday a “moment of personal grief for Catholics around the world.”
“Together with our entire EWTN family, I mourn his passing and join the Church in prayers for the repose of his soul,” Warsaw said in a statement.
Warsaw said he was “privileged to be able to meet Pope Francis a number of times throughout the years” and was “always struck by his kindness and good humor in our encounters.”
German leaders mourn pope’s death: ‘An advocate of the weak’
April 21, 2025 at 06:01 am ET
Leaders of the German government on Monday mourned Pope Francis’ death, hailing him as an “advocate for the weak” and a “sign of hope.”
“With the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church and the world lose an advocate for the weak, a reconciling and a warmhearted person,” outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X.
“I greatly appreciated his clear view of the challenges we face,” he said.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, meanwhile, said in a letter to College of Cardinals dean Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re that both Catholic and Protestant Germans “mourn with me for an important pope.”
The world lost “a shining sign of hope, a credible advocate of humanity, and a convincing Christian,” Steinmeier wrote.
“His modesty, his spontaneity, and his humor, but above all his noticeably deep faith, have touched people all over the world — and given them support, strength, and guidance.”
Indian Prime Minister Modi: Pope Francis was ‘beacon of compassion’
April 21, 2025 at 05:47 am ET
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that Pope Francis will “always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility, and spiritual courage.”
Modi said on X on Monday morning that he was “deeply pained” by the pope’s passing earlier in the day.
“From a young age, he devoted himself towards realizing the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope,” Modi wrote.
The pope’s “affection for the people of India will always be cherished,” he said.
King Charles: Pope will be remembered for compassion, care for creation
April 21, 2025 at 05:35 am ET
Britain’s King Charles III on Monday said the Royal Family was “deeply saddened” to learn of Pope Francis’ passing early on Monday morning.
“His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church, and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others,” Charles said.
“His belief that care for creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world,” the king noted.
Charles noted that he and Queen Camilla were able to meet with Pope Francis earlier this month.
“We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve,” the king said.
New Zealand bishops: Francis stressed ‘the importance of walking together’
April 21, 2025 at 05:33 am ET
Pope Francis “knew the appeal and the impact of the papacy in all corners of the globe,” Auckland Bishop Steve Lowe said on Monday at the news of the Holy Father’s passing, hailing the pope for his global outreach over the course of his pontificate.
“While he didn’t set foot on our shores, we know the deep love that Pope Francis had for the Catholic faithful scattered across the world,” Lowe, the president of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Conference, said in a Monday morning statement.
“The Holy Father reminded us of the importance of walking together as the entire people of God — laypeople, religious women and men, and clergy — following the path of Jesus,” he said.
Lowe urges Christians around the world to “join us in lifting up our departed brother in prayer.”
Italian soccer matches postponed after pope’s death
April 21, 2025 at 05:19 am ET
Multiple Italian soccer matches have been postponed after Pope Francis died on Monday.
The National Professional League Serie A announced that seven different matches would be delayed “to a later date” after the death of the Holy Father.
Several football clubs publicly mourned the pope’s passing on Monday morning.
“His faith, humility, courage, and dedication touched the hearts of millions, making him a moral compass of our time and beyond,” the Roma club said on X.
Macron: Pope ‘wanted the Church to bring joy and hope’
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said he and his wife, Brigitte, “send our thoughts to all Catholics and to the grieving world” after the news of Pope Francis’ death.
“From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest,” the president said. “May it unite people with each other and with nature. May this hope continually revive beyond him.”
Italian Prime Minister Meloni: Pope gave ‘comfort in very difficult moments’
April 21, 2025 at 05:08 am ET
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Monday reflected on Pope Francis’ pontificate, saying that she and the Holy Father had “a more active relationship” than was publicly seen, one that went “well beyond our respective institutional roles.”
“We’ve met many times, even just to exchange opinions. He was able to give comfort in very difficult moments, I have many memories of the pope,” she told the Italian government broadcaster RAI.
“We say goodbye to the Holy Father with a heart full of sadness,” the prime minister’s office said in an official statement.
White House responds to pope’s death: ‘May God rest his soul’
April 21, 2025 at 05:05 am ET
The White House on Monday responded to the news of Pope Francis’ death with a brief tweet on X on Monday morning.
“Rest in peace, Pope Francis,” the White House said, including two pictures of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance meeting the pontiff.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Monday, meanwhile, mourned Pope Francis’ passing, reflecting briefly on his meeting with the pontiff just hours before his death.
“My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him,” the vice president said on a post on X.
“I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill,” Vance said, referring to his meeting with the pope the day before on Easter Sunday.
Vance said he would “always remember” the pope’s homily delivered on March 27, 2020, amid the start of the COVID-19 crisis. “It was really quite beautiful,” the vice president said.
U.S. bishops: Pope will be remembered for ‘outreach to those on the margins’
April 21, 2025 at 04:32 am ET
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) mourned the death of Pope Francis on Monday, hailing him for “his outreach to those on the margins of the Church and of society” during his historic pontificate.
USCCB President Archbishop Timothy Broglio said in a Monday morning statement that Francis “was marked by his experience as a Jesuit and a shepherd in Buenos Aires.”
“The passage from this life of the bishop of Rome calls us to pray for his eternal rest and to continue on our path to a deeper union with the Lord Jesus,” Broglio wrote.
“We remember his leadership in inspiring nations, organizations, and individuals to a renewed commitment to care for each other and our common home.”
The U.S. bishops “unite in prayer with Catholics here and around the world and all people of goodwill in gratitude for the life of our revered shepherd.”
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