"I learned with great personal sorrow the news of the death of Pope Francis, sensing the serious void that is created by the loss of the point of reference that he has always represented for me. The death of Pope Francis arouses pain and emotion among Italians and throughout the world". Thus the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella on the death of Pope Francis.

"A great man and a great pastor leaves us," commented Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni . "I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice and his teachings, which never failed even in moments of trial and suffering."

"In the meditations of the Via Crucis, he reminded us of the power of the gift, which makes everything flourish again and is capable of reconciling what in the eyes of man is irreconcilable. And he asked the world, once again, for the courage to change course, to follow a path that does not destroy, but cultivates, repairs, protects. We will walk in this direction, to seek the path of peace, pursue the common good and build a more just and equitable society. His teaching and his legacy will not be lost. We greet the Holy Father with hearts full of sadness, but we know that he is now in the peace of the Lord."

The prime minister also left a message to Tg1: "The whole world will remember Francis for being the Pope of the people, of the last ones". With an emotional voice she added that "I will miss him too, we had an extraordinary personal relationship, he was a pontiff with whom you could talk about everything, he was very special".

Reactions to the death of the Pontiff are following one another in Italy and throughout the world: "Pope Francis has returned to the House of the Father. Care for Creation, Mercy, brotherhood: he was a great Pontiff. A friend of Italy. Let us pray for him and for the future of the entire Catholic Church. Holy Father, protect us from up there", says Antonio Tajani .

Carlo Calenda instead underlines how with the death of the Pope «the world loses a spiritual guide capable of speaking to believers and non-believers, a Pontiff who embodied with simplicity and determination the values of social justice, peace and human dignity».

“Pope Francis has reached the Father’s House,” wrote Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Matteo Salvini on social media, posting a photo of Bergoglio.

"An immense pain," commented Giuseppe Conte . "His stubborn words of peace, dialogue and solidarity at all costs are and will remain a guide for all of us in these difficult times. Thank you for every lesson, may he rest in peace."

The secretary of the Democratic Party Elly Schlein remembers "the Pope of the last, of the marginalized, of social justice and of the commitment to the planet. His powerful message of peace and brotherhood will remain a lasting imprint of closeness, compassion, love for others that will continue to leave its mark".

Matteo Renzi, leader of Italia Viva : "Francis leaves us in yesterday's embrace of St. Peter's Square. Yesterday his last journey with the Popemobile is the symbol of his life among his people, his people. Both in those who believe and in those who do not believe, the Argentine Pope leaves a profound mark. In the hearts of those who met him, above all, there remains the trait of an affectionate humanity and a lively curiosity for the mystery of the other. Easter means Passage. And never like today, Easter Monday, do we feel the value of this expression. We will see what will change for this crazy world with the Conclave. But now, in the meantime, it is time to say thank you to Pope Francis for what he has represented, not only in these twelve years of pontificate."

"Deep" pain also for the President of the Senate Ignazio La Russa : "A spiritual leader of immense charisma and witness of lived faith, he was able to embody the values of mercy and solidarity, bringing the Church closer to everyone with particular attention to anyone in difficulty. His commitment to dialogue, peace and attention to the least will remain a precious legacy".

"His death leaves an immense void," declared the President of the Chamber Lorenzo Fontana . "His words of peace, gestures of mercy and constant call for brotherhood among peoples will remain a beacon for future generations. In this moment of mourning, we are close to the entire Christian community and to those, in every corner of the planet, who mourn the loss of the Holy Father. May his example continue to inspire the path of those who believe in a more just, humane and supportive world."

Not only Italy. The whole world is mourning the passing of the Holy Father. "His contagious smile has conquered the hearts of millions of people. The Pope of the people will be remembered for his love of life, his hope in peace, his compassion for equality and social justice", comments the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola .

Ursula Von der Leyen : «Pope Francis has inspired millions of people, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and his pure love for those less fortunate. My thoughts go out to all those who feel this profound loss. May they find comfort in the knowledge that Pope Francis' legacy will continue to guide us all towards a more just, peaceful and compassionate world».

French President Emmanuel Macron offers condolences to Catholics around the world and recalls a Pope who "wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest. To unite men with each other and with nature. May this hope always be resurrected beyond him."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pays tribute to his commitment "to peace, social justice and the most vulnerable".

"A man guided by humility and faith", comments German Chancellor Friedrich Merz .

The memory of King Charles of England : "My wife and I are deeply saddened. Our heavy hearts are however somewhat lightened by the knowledge that His Holiness was able to share an Easter greeting with the Church and the world he served so devotedly throughout his life and ministry," reads the message released on the British royal family's social media profiles. "His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and his tireless commitment to the common causes of all men of faith and of those who, in good will, work for the good of others. His conviction that care for creation is an existential expression of faith in God found an echo in so many around the world. The Queen and I remember with particular fondness our meetings with His Holiness over the years and were deeply moved to be able to visit him earlier this month."

US Vice President JD Vance met him just yesterday during his visit to Rome: "I was happy to see him yesterday, even though he was very sick. But I will always remember him for his homilies in the early days of Covid. He was truly wonderful."

“May Pope Francis Rest in Peace,” is the White House ’s brief message on X, accompanied by a photo of the Pontiff meeting Donald Trump and JD Vance.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences, calling Pope Francis "an extraordinary person, a defender of humanity and justice." Tass posted a video of a conversation in the Vatican between Vladimir Putin and Pope Francis, noting that "they met in person three times during the Russian president's short visits and also spoke by phone, the last time in December 2021."

"His life was dedicated to God, to people and to the Church," is the memory of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky . The Pope "knew how to give hope, alleviate suffering through prayer and promote unity. He prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians. We mourn together with Catholics and all Christians who sought spiritual support in Pope Francis. Eternal memory!"

"Rest in peace, Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him!" Donald Trump wrote on Truth regarding the death of the Pontiff.

The Islamic Republic of Iran also expresses its condolences "to all Christians in the world, to all monotheists and followers of heavenly religions, and we ask God for his peace."

"Pope Francis was a staunch defender of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people , particularly in his firm stance against the war and acts of genocide perpetrated against our people in Gaza over the past months," Bassem Naim, a member of the political bureau of Hamas, said in a statement.

And the European Jewish Congress remembers the Pope as a " firm supporter of interreligious dialogue and mutual respect between religions ."

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has declared seven days of mourning in Brazil for the death of Pope Francis and said that "humanity has lost a voice of respect and acceptance of others."

The president of the CEI Matteo Zuppi speaks of a "painful and very suffering" moment for the entire Church. "We entrust our beloved Pope Francis to the Lord's embrace, in the certainty, as he himself taught us, that 'everything is revealed in mercy; everything is resolved in the merciful love of the Father'. I ask all the Churches in Italy that the church bells be rung as a sign of mourning and that moments of personal and community prayer be encouraged, in communion among ourselves and with the universal Church."

(Unioneonline/L)

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