World leaders remembered Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, after the leader of the world's 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church died on Monday.

The Vatican said the 88-year-old pontiff passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time (0535 UTC/GMT) on Easter Monday.

What did world leaders say?

The likely incoming German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, expressed "great sorrow," saying the pontiff would be remembered for his commitment to "the most vulnerable, for justice and for reconciliation."

French President Emmanuel Macron said Francis had always been "on the side of the most vulnerable and the most fragile" and that he had stood for "brotherly humankind."

US President Donald Trump also expressed his condolences in a short online post.

"Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!" Trump wrote. 

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, remembered Francis as a man who "inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate."

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni mourned the departure of "a great man, a great shepherd."

Brtiain's King Charles III, who met privately with Francis on April 10 during a royal visit to Italy, praised the late pope for his work on safeguarding the environment.

"Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many,'' Charles said.

Francis repeatedly called for end to wars

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the pope's desire for dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and the Roman Catholic churches, as well as constructive interaction between Russia and the Holy See.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Francis "knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer and foster unity."

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said his death marked the loss of a "faithful friend of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights," referring to the pope's recognition of a Palestinian state.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog called Francis a man of "deep faith and boundless compassion."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted how the pope would be "remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage."

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the head of the only predominantly Catholic country in Southeast Asia, described Pope Francis as the "best pope in my lifetime," noting he was a man of "profound faith and humility."

Jose Ramos-Horta, the president of East Timor, where Francis made his longest foreign trip in September 2024, said the pope "leaves behind a profound legacy of humanity, of justice, of human fraternity."

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said he was mourning the passing of the world's "most trenchant voice for justice and action against climate change."

Fondly remembered in Argentina despite 'differences'

Javier Milei, president of Argentina, where Francis was born and lived for most of his life, described the country as "the land of Pope Francis."

In a statement, Milei highlighted the "tireless struggle of Francis' papacy to protect life from conception, promote inter-religious dialogue and bring a spiritual and virtuous life closer to young people."

He also paid tribute to the pope's "goodness and wisdom" despite what he said were the pair's political "differences."

Before taking office in late 2023, libertarian Milei accused Francis of political interference, labeling him an "imbecile" who "promotes communism."

Milei subsequently apologized and was received at the Vatican shortly after his election.

Religious leaders join outpouring of tributes

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a statement that Francis will long be remembered for his outreach to those on the margins of the church and society.

"He renewed for us the mission to bring the Gospel out to the ends of the earth and offer divine mercy to all," he said. 

The acting head of the Church of England, Stephen Cottrell, remembered Francis as " witty, lively, good to be with, and the warmth of his personality and interest in others shone out from him."

The chief rabbi of Rome, Riccardo di Segni, said Francis had opened a new chapter in relations between Judaism and Catholicism, noting how the dialogue was "sometimes difficult but always respectful."

Theophilos III, the patriarch of Jerusalem, joined in mourning Pope Francis.

"Pope Francis' life was a luminous testament to the Gospel, a tireless witness to Christ’s boundless mercy, a steadfast champion for the poor, and a beacon of peace and reconciliation among all peoples," he wrote in a statement.

Francis DeBernardo, executive director of the US-based New Ways Ministry, which advocated for the greater inclusion of homosexuals in the Catholic Church, noted how Francis used "simple words and gentle gestures" that made the church "a more welcoming home for LGBTQ+ people." 

Edited by: Sean Sinico