Rome and the world mourn Pope ‘of the least’

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she had ‘the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice, his teachings, which never ceased not even during times of trial and suffering’.

World leaders paid tribute to the late Pope as the Vatican prepared for public prayers and for his funeral, due to take place within the week.

Pope Francis’ body may be moved into St Peter’s on Wednesday morning, following the ascertainment of death on Monday evening and the first meeting of the Congregation of Cardinals on Tuesday.

The College of Cardinals, which formally governs the Church until the election of a new pope – though without authority “in matters which pertain to the supreme pontiff” – must determine when and how the late Pope’s remains will be displayed, and confirm funeral arrangements for between the fourth and sixth day after his death.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the carmerlengo of the papal household, will be responsible for the administration of the Holy See during this time and for funeral arrangements. He was to preside at the rite of ascertainment of death on Monday evening in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta and the placing of the Pope’s body in its coffin – a zinc-lined wooden coffin rather than the three coffins of cypress, lead and oak historically used for popes, in accordance with Francis’ reform of papal funeral rites in 2024.

Francis’ reforms brought the rite closer to an episcopal funeral, emphasising the Pope’s status as Bishop of Rome. Among the carmerlengo’s responsibilities is to make the formal notice of the Pope’s death to the vicar general of the Diocese of Rome, for him to issue his own announcement to the people of the city.

Pope Francis said he wished to be buried in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, a papal basilica outside the Vatican in the Monti district of Rome. It houses the icon of the Virgin Mary as Salus Populi Romani, which Francis visited before and after every journey during his pontificate and where he delivered flowers to be placed before the icon after he left hospital last month.

The Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri wrote on social media that the city, along with Italy and the wider world, was mourning “an extraordinary man, a humble and courageous pastor”.

“Pope Francis defined an era with his example of simplicity, his tireless commitment to peace, his closeness and love for the least, his care for creation,” he said.

A statement from Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she had “the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice, his teachings, which never ceased not even during times of trial and suffering”.

The president of Francis’ native Argentina Javier Milei wrote on social media of his “deep sadness” at learning of the Pope’s death, while acknowledging his own clashes with Francis and with the Church.

“Despite the differences, which now seem minor, to have met him with his goodness and wisdom was a true honour for me. As president, as an Argentine and, fundamentally, as a man of faith, I say goodbye to the Holy Father and stand with all those who are coming to terms with this sad news today.”

The presidential office also issued a message, sending condolences to the Bergoglio family. “At this sad moment the president stands with those who profess the Catholic faith and found in the supreme pontiff a spiritual leader,” it said.

“President Javier Milei emphasises the tireless struggle of Francis’ papacy to protect life from conception, promote inter-religious dialogue and to show younger people the way to a spiritual and virtuous life. He also recognises the great value of his wish to bring austerity to the Holy See with his pastoral actions.”

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Francis “tried tirelessly to bring love where there was hatred, unity where there was discord, to create an understanding that we are all equal, living in the same home, our planet, which urgently needs our care”.

“He always took the side of those in greatest need: the poor, refugees, the elderly and the victims of wars and all forms of prejudice,” Lula said. “Humanity today has lost a voice of respect and welcome for others.” He declared a week of national mourning in Brazil.

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday

The Pope from the ends of the earth

Elsewhere in Latin America, the Colombian foreign minister Laura Sarabia issued a message of thanks to the late Pope.

“Thank you for being a symbol of hope and renewal for the Church. Thank you for looking directly at the most vulnerable. Thank you for being the voice of the poor, migrants, the most afflicted,” she said. “Pope Francis taught us to see God in every detail.”

Chile’s President Gabriel Boric said Pope Francis “made a genuine effort to bring the Church closer to the people in a world where the spiritual seems to have taken a back seat”.

The Cuban president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, expressed “deep sadness” at the death of the Pope.

“The demonstrations of affection and closeness he offered to our compatriots were always reciprocated by the Cubans. We shall recall with great affection his visits to Cuba and the warm words he addressed to our country in his messages.”

King Felipe VI of Spain – who by historic custom is the protocanon of the Liberian Chapter at Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome – sent a message of condolence to the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardianl Giovanni Battista Ré. He said the Pope “bore witness to the importance for the world of our time of love of neighbour, fraternity and social love”.

“We will continue to be inspired by his conviction of the need to bring encouragement and comfort to the poorest and most needy and the importance he gave to dialogue and consensus to achieve a world that is more just and inspired by greater solidarity.”

The French President Emmanuel Macron, visiting Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, posted a picture of himself and his wife Brigitte with the Pontiff on social media with the words: “From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest.

“May it unite people with each other and with nature. May this hope continually resurrect beyond him. My wife and I extend our thoughts to all Catholics, to the grieving world.”

The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said: “He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate. My thoughts are with all who feel this profound loss. 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.”

Friedrich Merz, Germany’s presumptive chancellor, said that “Francis will be remembered for his tireless commitment to the weakest in society, to justice and reconciliation. Humility and faith in God’s mercy guided him in this. In doing so, the first Latin American to sit on the Holy See touched people worldwide, across denominational boundaries.”

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