King Charles pays tribute to Pope Francis after his death aged 88: His Majesty joins world leaders in remembering 'compassionate and devoted' Pontiff following his 'devastating' passing
Proper news from Britain - News from Britain you won’t find anywhere else. Not the tosh the big media force-feed you every day!
King Charles has joined world leaders in paying tribute to Pope Francis after the head of the Catholic Church died at the age of 88.
His Majesty said he was 'deeply saddened' to learn of the Pope's passing earlier this morning in the Vatican City.
He said Francis, who was the first Latin American pope, would be 'remembered for his compassion' and had 'profoundly touched the lives of so many'.
Pope Francis's death came just weeks after King Charles and Queen Camilla met His Eminence in Rome during a royal visit to Italy, with His Majesty saying the couple were 'greatly moved to have been able to visit him'.
The Pontiff had spent the last couple of months battling health problems, including a bout of pneumonia which left him hospitalised.
He had recovered enough to hold a private audience with the pair on April 9, and he had been seen at public events over the Easter weekend, while also meeting US Vice President JD Vance in recent days.
However, it was announced early on Easter Monday that he had passed away, sending more than a billion Catholics worldwide into mourning.
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, Charles said: 'My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis.
'Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry.
'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.
'His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world.
'Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.
'The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month.
'We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ.'
When they met earlier this month, they did so as the heads of two of the largest denominations of Christianity, and eight years after their previous meeting in Rome in 2017.
Just one day before his death the Pope had met with US Vice President JD Vance, and offered large chocolate Easter eggs for his three young children, who did not attend.
The Pontiff had not given Vance an audience on Friday, officially out of caution over his health situation.
Upon the news of his passing, Vance said His Eminence had been 'very ill' during their meeting on Easter Sunday.
In a statement posted on X, he wrote: 'I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.
'I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I'll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful.
'May God rest his soul.'
The White House published a pithy statement on X, saying: 'Rest in Peace, Pope Francis.'
Just a day before, JD Vance had met with the Pontiff to exchange Easter greetings. The Pope offered the Vice President three large chocolate Easter eggs for his three young children, who did not attend.
He was joined in remembrance of the late pontiff by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who said Francis was a 'pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten'.
He said: 'I join millions around the world in grieving the death of His Holiness Pope Francis.
'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.
'Pope Francis was a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten. He was close to the realities of human fragility, meeting Christians around the world facing war, famine, persecution and poverty. Yet he never lost hope of a better world.
'That hope was as the heart of his papacy. His determination to visibly live out his faith inspired people across the world to see afresh the church's teachings of mercy and charity.
'With his death, we are reminded once more of his call to care for one another across different faiths, backgrounds, nations and beliefs.
'My thoughts are with Catholics across the world, and the Roman Catholic church. May His Holiness Rest in Peace.'
Georgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, said the Pope had been a good friend to her and done his duty to the end.
'The Pope and I had a more active relationship than was apparent. It went well beyond our respective institutional roles,' she told Italian state broadcaster RAI.
'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 added in a broken voice.
The 88-year-old pontiff died on Monday a day after his first prolonged public appearance since being discharged on March 23 from a lengthy hospital stay for pneumonia.
'The fact he's leaving on Easter Monday, it's like he wanted to do his duty until the very end,' Meloni added, saying he had appeared fatigued at their most recent meeting.
She said the Pope kept in a drawer some artwork her daughter had made for him. She was also proud of convincing him to become the first pontiff to address a Group of Seven summit in 2024.
'We say goodbye to the Holy Father with a heart full of sadness,' she added in an official statement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who met with the Pope multiple times following the Russian invasion of his country, said he was grateful for his efforts to help his nation.
Sharing an image of his meeting with the Pontiff from May 2023, he wrote: 'Millions of people around the world are mourning the tragic news of Pope Francis's passing.
'His life was devoted to God, to people, and to the Church. He knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer, and foster unity. He prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians.
'We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians who looked to Pope Francis for spiritual support. Eternal memory!'
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the late Pope as a 'defender' of 'humanism and justice', and praised his efforts to promote dialogue between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches.
Putin said Francis, who died on Monday, was a 'wise' religious leader, 'statesman' and 'consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice', in a letter to the Vatican published by the Kremlin.
'During all the years of his pontificate, he actively promoted dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, as well as constructive interaction between Russia and the Holy See,' Putin added.
The Kremlin leader had met the pope three times - in 2013, 2015, and 2019. They held a phone call in December 2021, but had not spoken since then after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine just weeks later.
French President Emmanuel Macron said: 'Throughout his pontificate Pope Francis had always sided with the most vulnerable and the most fragile, and that he did this with a lot of humility. In this time of war and brutality, he had a sense for the other, for the most fragile.'
This was echoed by Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel, who said he was a 'man of deep faith and boundless compassion, he dedicated his life to uplifting the poor and calling for peace in a troubled world'.
'I truly hope that his prayers for peace in the Middle East and for the safe return of the hostages (in Gaza) will soon be answered,' Herzog said on X.
Francis had used his final Easter sermon to call for an end to the 'many conflicts raging in different parts of our world' and pray that 'in this Jubilee year, may Easter also be a fitting occasion for the liberation of prisoners of war and political prisoners!'
In his Easter blessing he made a direct appeal to 'all those in positions of political responsibility' to use 'weapons of peace' to stop 'sowing seeds of death'.
He criticised the 'great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day', violence directed at women and children, and the 'contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalised, and migrants!'
'On this day, I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas! For all of us are children of God!' the Pope said, adding: 'I would like us to renew our hope that peace is possible!'
He specifically prayed for those impacted by conflicts around the world, including those in Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, several communities in the Middle East and Africa, and more.
Javier Milei, President of Argentina, the nation where Pope Francis was born and raised, wrote on X: 'It is with profound sorrow that I learned this sad morning that Pope Francis, Jorge Bergoglio, passed away today and is now resting in peace.
'Despite differences that seem minor today, having been able to know him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honour for me.'
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the world had lost an 'advocate for the weak' with his passing this morning.
He wrote on X: 'With the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church and the world lose an advocate for the weak, a reconciling and a warm-hearted person.
'I greatly appreciated his clear view of the challenges we face. My sympathies go out to the religious community worldwide.'
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the late Pontiff was a 'beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage' for millions around the world.
He said: 'He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope. I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God's embrace.'
Pope Francis had wished a 'Happy Easter to everyone' in his final poignant act of devotion that saw him heavily supported by his aides.
Francis, who died today aged 88, delighted the crowd of 35,000 faithful at the Vatican on Easter Sunday with an appearance on the balcony at Saint Peter's Basilica.
But the pontiff, appearing weary and fatigued, needed help from his aides while he sat on the balcony and watched as Archbishop Diego Ravelli read his Easter blessing to the large crowd.
Aides were seen adjusting his papal robes and helping Francis drink water through a straw as the blessing was delivered.
He didn't celebrate the Easter Mass in the piazza yesterday and instead delegated it to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica.
Francis left hospital under 'protected discharge' on March 23 after suffering an infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs earlier this year.
Just 20 hours before the Vatican announced his passing, Francis took to social media to commemorate the highest holiday in Catholicism.
'Christ is risen! These words capture the entire meaning of our existence, for we were not made for death but for life,' he tweeted, also sharing his full Urbi et Orbi blessing, which his aide had read aloud at at Saint Peter's Basilica.
Francis spent his final hours with faithful, emerging to bless thousands of people in St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday and touring the piazza in the Popemobile to wild cheers and applause after being discharged from hospital only last month.
Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced that he had died at 7.35am local time (5.35am GMT) today.
'Dearest brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,' Farrell in the statement published by the Vatican.
'This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His church.
'With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Tribune.'
Francis's body will lie in state in St Peter's Basilica during an official mourning period, and then - in contrast to most of his predecessors - he will be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome's Esquilino neighbourhood.
His death sets in motion centuries-old traditions that will culminate in the gathering of a conclave of cardinals in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to choose a successor. The Conclave will not happen for at least 15 days.
In the meantime, the day-to-day running of the tiny Vatican City state will be handled by the camerlengo, a senior cardinal, currently Dublin-born Kevin Farrell.
.jpg)
