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Following on from the King’s statement, his Australian representative, Governor-General Sam Mostyn, has shared her own message of condolence for Pope Francis.
“As millions of Australian Catholics mourn a spiritual guide, father and friend, we can all reflect on His Holiness’ message of peace; of respect for the rights and dignity of every member of our human family; and care for the Earth, our common home,” Mostyn said in a statement.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) together with Monsignor Stuart Hall (left) departs St Patrick’s Cathedral after paying his respects following the death of Pope Francis.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
After reflecting on Australia’s “long-lasting bond of friendship with the Holy See” and the Pope’s work in the Asia-Pacific region, Mostyn said that Pope Francis would be honoured in private prayer and masses both in Australia and abroad.
“May the memory of His Holiness’ mission of peace, compassion and love bring hope and consolation long into the future.”
King Charles has issued a statement paying tribute to Pope Francis, just days after he and his wife met with him at the Vatican.
King Charles said he and Queen Camilla were “deeply saddened” to hear of the Pope’s death. You can read the full statement below.
King Charles and Queen Camilla greet crowds at Windsor Castle on April 20.Credit: Getty Images
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.”
Emotional reactions to the news of Pope Francis’ death continues to pour in from world leaders. Here’s some more of their tributes below.
Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting: Pope was guided by humility and faith
Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz said Pope Francis would be remembered for his tireless commitment to society’s weakest members.
“He was guided by humility and faith in God’s mercy,” Merz said in a post on X.
Italian prime minister: A heart full of sadness after great man’s passing
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said news of Pope Francis’ death was cause for great sadness because of the departure of “a great man, a great shepherd”.
“I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice, his teachings, which never ceased, not even during times of trial and suffering,” Meloni said in a statement.
“We say goodbye to the Holy Father with a heart full of sadness.”
Top EU leader: Francis was an inspiration for the entire world
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, remembered Francis as an inspiration for the entire world, not just Christians.
“He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate. My thoughts are with all who feel this profound loss,” von der Leyen wrote on X.
“May they find solace in the idea that Pope Francis’ legacy will continue to guide us all toward a more just, peaceful and compassionate world.”
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president: Pope’s death a shock
The president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, said: “Oh my God. I am so shocked by this.
“Let us please ring the bells of our churches and call our people to prayer for the eternal repose of the Holy Father Pope Francis, who passed on just about 10 minutes ago.”
Ireland’s foreign minister: Francis was a voice for the voiceless
Ireland’s Foreign Minister, Simon Harris, has expressed hope that Pope Francis’ teachings will continue to inspire the world, saying the late pontiff’s commitment to justice, peace and human dignity touched millions of people around the globe.
Francis’ advocacy for the poor, calls for improved interfaith relations and focus on protecting the environment made him “a beacon of hope and a voice for the voiceless”, Harris said in a statement.
Moscow Patriarchate: Francis developed contacts with Russian Orthodox Church
The Moscow Patriarchate said Pope Francis had played a significant role in the active development of contacts between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, Russian news agency TASS reported.
The Western and Eastern branches of Christianity split in 1054 amid disputes over doctrine and papal authority, which have never been resolved.
Reuters, AP
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne just before 7.15pm, after addressing the nation about the death of Pope Francis.
Stuart Hall, the dean of the Cathedral, greeted Albanese before he walked inside.
The prime minister dropped to one knee briefly as he entered.
Speaking to this masthead before Albanese’s arrival, Hall said the church was sad to hear of the Pope’s death.
“We pray for his soul, and we pray for the church in general,” he said.
Australia’s state premiers have added their voices to the global chorus of condolences following the death of Pope Francis.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan wrote on X that Francis was “a tireless advocate for the poor” and “a relentless voice for the marginalised”.
“He shared a message of peace, courage, and humility. A message that has never mattered more,” Allan wrote.
Meanwhile, NSW Premier Chris Minns wrote in a statement that Francis was “a pope of the people”.
“Pope Francis understood that grace lives within every human being, whether they were born rich or poor, high or low,” Minns wrote.
“Through the strength of his example and the quiet passion of his words, he showed us the power of the great Catholic teachings.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese continued that Pope Francis was a “devoted champion and a loving father” to Australian Catholics.
“Pope Francis lived out his faith and vocation in word and deed. He was truly inspirational,” Albanese said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addresses the media following the death of Pope Francis.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
The prime minister said the Pope demonstrated a commitment to “peace, equality and inclusion” in his modest way of life, and in his weekly audiences.
“Pope Francis’ love for humanity was powerful and profound. The memory and example of his compassion, will long endure,” Albanese said.
Concluding his brief statement, Albanese quoted from Pope Francis’ final Easter homily:
The light quietly shines forth, even though we are in darkness. The promise of new life and a world finally set free awaits us and a new beginning, however impossible it might seem, can take us by surprise. For Christ has triumphed over death, may God welcome Pope Francis to eternal life.”
In a televised message, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Pope Francis will be mourned by Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
“He urged us to remember what all we hold in common,” the prime minister said, before highlighting the Pope’s environmentalism.
“He asked the world to hear the cry of the Earth, our common home. He invited world leaders to join him and, to quote him, ‘emerge from the dark night of wars and environmental devastation in order to turn our common future into the dawn of a new and radiant day’.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paying tribute to Pope Francis earlier tonight.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
The prime minister confirmed that all government flags would be flown at half-mast tomorrow.
US Vice President JD Vance, who met with Pope Francis on Sunday, has taken to X to share his tribute following the pontiff’s death.
Vance, possibly the last notable person to meet with the Pope, said “he was obviously very ill”, before noting that he would always remember him for the homily he gave in 2020, during the first COVID-19 outbreaks.
Pope Francis receives US Vice President JD Vance at the Vatican. The Pope died on Easter Monday.Credit: AP
Francis met briefly with Vance on Sunday while the vice president was spending Easter in Rome with his family.
The Vatican said the encounter lasted just a few minutes and was designed to allow for an exchange of Easter greetings.
Francis gave Vance three large chocolate Easter eggs to give to his three young children.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed reporters about Pope Francis’ death about 7pm AEST in Melbourne this evening.
You can watch the press conference below:
World leaders are paying tribute to Pope Francis as a man who always sided with society’s most vulnerable and describing his death as a “tremendous loss”.
Here’s what some of them have said so far:
French president: Pope always sided with the most vulnerable
French President Emmanuel Macron said that 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,” Macron told reporters.
East Timor president: Death of Pope a ‘tremendous loss’ for the world
East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta said the death of Pope Francis was a tremendous loss for the world, not just Christians.
The president of Asia’s youngest, predominantly-Catholic nation told Reuters that flags in East Timor would be flown at half-mast for one week to honour the late pontiff’s life, and a mass would also be held in his honour.
Israeli president: Pope was a man of deep faith, peace and compassion
Pope Francis was a man of deep faith, peace and compassion who fostered ties with the Jewish world, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog said, in a condolence message to the Christian world and its communities in the Holy Land.
“A man of deep faith and boundless compassion, he dedicated his life to uplifting the poor and calling for peace in a troubled world,” Herzog said of Francis. “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.
Prime minister of the Netherlands: Pope was a man of the people
Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dick Schoof said, “Pope Francis was in every way a man of the people”.
“The global Catholic community bids farewell to a leader who recognised the burning issues of our day and called attention to them,” Schoof said on X. “With his sober way of life, acts of service and compassion, Pope Francis was a role model for many – Catholics and non-Catholics alike. We remember him with great respect.”
With Reuters
