Pope Francis: World, religious leaders pay their respects DW 04/21/2025
Briefly

The death of Pope Francis at 88 has drawn global condolences from world leaders who laud his commitment to justice and compassion for the vulnerable. German chancellor hopeful Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were among those who praised his humanitarian values. Leaders recognized his calls for dialogue and peace, with figures like Russian President Putin acknowledging Francis's efforts in promoting relations between churches. Pope Francis's legacy encompasses environmental concerns, shown in King Charles III's homage, marking the loss of an influential spiritual leader.
Friedrich Merz expressed 'great sorrow' at the death of Pope Francis, remembering him for his commitment to 'the most vulnerable, for justice and for reconciliation.'
Emmanuel Macron lauded Francis' side with 'the most vulnerable and the most fragile,' noting he advocated 'brotherly humankind.'
Ursula von der Leyen described Francis as a man who 'inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church,' highlighting his humility towards the less fortunate.
King Charles III praised Pope Francis for his work on safeguarding the environment, saying he 'profoundly touched the lives of so many.'
Read at www.dw.com
[
|
]