The passing of Cardinal Francis at the age of 88 after a long battle with pneumonia has caused deep emotions in the international community.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi called Pope Francis "the voice of peace, love and compassion".
President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed praised the popes for devoting his life to promoting the principles of peaceful coexistence and understanding among communities.
UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al- Maktoum affirmed that the popes' compassion and commitment to peace have touched the hearts of countless people around the world.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called Pope Francis a loyal friend of the Palestinian people, stressing his role in recognizing the state of Palestine and allowing the hanging of the Palestinian flag in the Vatican.
Lebanon's new president, Joseph Aoun, expressed his deep regret, calling the popes a close friend of the country.
Iran sends its official condolences to the Vatican.
US Vice President JD Vance expressed his condolences on April 21 after Cardinal Francis passed away, just one day after he met the Pope.
"I have just heard the news of the passing of Cardinal Francis. I would like to express my condolences to millions of Kristans around the world, those who love him. I will always remember him for his teachings in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The class was really great," Vance said in a post on X.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sent his condolences to the Vatican and the Catholic community, emphasizing that this is a "sad time for those who admire the compassion and humiliation" of Pope Francis. He reiterated that this Southern Hemisphere popist will be remembered for his commitment to not waver from the disadvantaged, social justice and inter-religious dialogue.
The European Union ofJews (EJC) also expressed regret, calling Pope Francis steadfast in promoting inter-religious and mutually respectful dialogue between religions, and highly appreciated his efforts in fighting against Buddhism.
Pope Francis, birth name Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the first Latino to be elected leader of the Catholic Church on March 13, 2013. The popes are known for their simple lifestyle, refusing to use luxurious apartments in the Monument and choosing to live in a community environment for reasons of mental health.
In 2019, he became the first cardinal to hold a ceremony in the Middle East, specifically in the UAE, and opened new steps in the relationship between the Vatican and the Islamic world, with visits to the Arabian Peninsula and Iraq.
