Lyon, France (AP) – Respect for the Pope Francis was instantly poured from all walks from the president on Monday, after the Vatican announced the death of the Pope at the age of 88.
French President Emmanuel Macron, a country primarily a Roman Catholic, focused on the influence of the Pope on the Church, saying, “From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the church to unite men and bring hope among themselves and with nature.
US Vice President JD Vance, who met with the Pope before traveling to India on Easter Sunday, wrote on Monday that he “resents” to millions of Christians who love him, saying, “He was happy to see him yesterday, although he was obviously very sick.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was one of the few official visitors to see Francis during his recent hospitalization, saying, “I have not been able to enjoy his friendship, his advice and his teachings.
Francis’ death said, “It makes us sad so deeply as we say goodbye to the great man and the great shepherd.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reminded him of the Pope as an inspiration not only for Christians but for the whole world.
“He inspires millions of people far beyond the Catholic Church, and his humility and love are so pure for the underprivileged,” she tweeted. “My thoughts are for all who feel this deep loss. May they find comfort in the idea that Pope Francis’ legacy continues to guide us all towards a more just, peaceful and caring world where we all are.”
As the crowd flocked to St. Peter’s Square, many glowing people from around the world laid flowers in the church. The bell pays homage to Francis, including the recently reopened Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog was mostly ritualistic, expressing his sadness and calling Francis a man of “deep faith and endless compassion.”
“I really hope that his prayers for peace in the Middle East and for safe return of hostages will be answered soon,” Herzog posted on X.
Francis repeatedly criticised Israel’s wartime actions, saying that he should investigate allegations of genocide that Israel has defied defied.
On social media, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez welcomed Francis with his focus on what is most vulnerable in the world. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tass has posted a photo of himself on X along with the Pope. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoff said Francis was “a man of people in all respects.”
Egyptian President Abdel Fatta Elsii said in a statement that Francis left behind “a great human legacy that remains engraved in the conscience of mankind” and called him “an exceptional world figure who dedicated his life to serving the values of peace and justice.”
Ireland’s Foreign Minister Simon Harris praises Francis’s defense of the poor, calling for a focus to improve relations between the pagans and protect the environment that has made him a “beacon of hope and a voiceless voice.”
However, some critics expressed frustration, lamenting that the Conference of Women’s Ordination did not want to promote Frances’ ordination of women.
“His repeated “closed door” policy on the ordination of women is painfully inconsistent with his otherwise idyllic nature, and for many, I heard the betrayal of the meeting, the church he defended,” the meeting said. “This has made him a complex, frustrating, and sometimes heart-pounding person for many women.”
The Vatican announced that Francis, the 266th Pope, passed away Monday morning. The day after its final reveal on Easter Sunday, he congratulated thousands of people on St. Peters Square.
