Leaders from across the world, religious and political, are responding to the death of Pope Francis on Monday morning, at the age of 88.

Notable for his clashes with conservative traditionalists and for his Argentinian background,  the first Pope from the Americas died a day after surprising the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday. 

From heads of state to religious leaders representing different faiths and traditions, prominent figures expressed their condolences and hope for the future. 

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

“Pope Francis will long be remembered for his outreach to those on the margins of the Church and of society. He renewed for us the mission to bring the Gospel out to the ends of the earth and offer divine mercy to all. … Even with his roots in the Piedmont region of Italy, the first Pope from our American Continent was marked by his experience as a Jesuit and a shepherd in Buenos Aires. He brought that experience and vision with him to his ministry for the universal Church. Recently, he expressed a new prayerful hope in his letter of support to the Bishops of this country in our attempts to respond to the face of Christ in the migrant, poor, and unborn. In fact, he has always used the strongest and clearest expressions in the defense of the dignity of the human person from conception to natural death.”

President Donald Trump

“Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!”

Vice President J.D. Vance

“I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul.”

Joe Biden, 46th U.S. president

“It is with great sadness that Jill and I learned of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. He was unlike any who came before him. Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time and I am better for having known him. For decades, he served the most vulnerable across Argentina and his mission of serving the poor never ceased. As Pope, he was a loving pastor and challenging teacher who reached out to different faiths. He commanded us to fight for peace and protect our planet from a climate crisis. He advocated for the voiceless and powerless. He made all feel welcome and seen by the Church. He promoted equity and an end to poverty and suffering across the globe. And above all, he was a Pope for everyone. He was the People’s Pope – a light of faith, hope, and love.”

Charles III, king of the United Kingdom

“My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis. … 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. … 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.”

Peter Isely, a founder and chair of global advocacy at the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP)

“Francis began his papacy by promising us and the world that he would put an end to clergy abuse and cover-up. If we had known then what we know now — that he himself covered up sexual crimes in Argentina before becoming pope and that, for twelve years, he failed to use his authority to implement a universal zero-tolerance policy — we would have felt very differently. That’s why we launched Conclave Watch — to make sure survivors and the public know exactly who these papal contenders are, what they’ve done, and whether they can be trusted to finally deliver on the promises of reform that Francis failed to keep.”

U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana

“Today, our prayers are with all those mourning the passing of Pope Francis. As the leader of the Catholic Church, he impacted the lives of countless people across the globe. May he rest in peace.”

U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-California

“It is with immense sadness that Paul and I join our fellow Catholics and people of faith around the world in mourning the loss of Pope Francis: a beacon of charity, hope and love for all people of faith. His Holiness rekindled the faith of Catholics worldwide, with a triumphant message of peace that has inspired a generation.”

Rev. Senator Raphael Warnock, D-Georgia

“As a longtime admirer of the Pope and his work to center the poor and marginalized, I was honored to meet him and pray with him last year. I join all those across the world mourning his death and celebrating his remarkable life.”

Rev. Robert A. Dowd, Notre Dame University president

“Through his heroic and prophetic ministry, he has inspired and challenged us to respect the God-given dignity of all people and the integrity of creation. The Holy Father’s life and witness call us to awaken from indifference to the suffering of others, to embrace our responsibilities to one another and to be agents of faith, hope and love for a world in need. As Pope Francis often reminded us, no one is far from God’s merciful love, and the Church must be a ‘field hospital’ to warm hearts, heal wounds and open doors.”

Franklin Graham, evangelist

Pope Francis passed away this morning after battling health issues. He was able to have meetings and appear at some of the Vatican’s Holy Week observances in just the last couple of days. I had the opportunity to meet and talk with him last year when I went to Naples to preach. Pray for the Catholic Church as they begin the process of selecting the next pope.

Kelly Ryan, president of Jesuit Refugee Service/USA

“We find some consolation in understanding he is at peace, and of course in knowing his soul lives on, but his heart for migrants and refugees helped give us strength in our work. We will honor his legacy by continuing that work in earnest in these challenging times for our world.”

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Connecticut

“Pope Francis was an extraordinary individual who reminded us all of the rich history of the Catholic Church on social justice, and especially our moral commitment to help the poor and vulnerable. I was honored to be part of the congressional delegation representing the United States at his installation in 2013, a moment that marked the beginning of a papacy defined by compassion, humility, and a tireless pursuit of justice. He challenged global leaders to confront issues of injustice, inequality, and the climate crisis with urgency. He uplifted the dignity of workers and spoke powerfully against economies that leave too many behind. He leaves a legacy that will endure far beyond his time. I am praying for Catholics around the world who have been touched by his example. May he rest in peace.”

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark

“With profound sorrow and heartfelt gratitude, I join the Church in mourning the death of our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, a shepherd who walked closely with God’s people and never tired of reminding us of God’s mercy. He was a man of deep faith, profound humility, and unshakable hope — a servant whose tireless call to care for the poor and the marginalized will continue to inspire the Church for generations to come.”

Elijah M. Brown, General Secretary of Baptist World Alliance

“Pope Francis will be remembered by the BWA for his consistent call to accompany Jesus in serving the poor and those who are suffering from the wounds of this world, listening to one another in a spirit of discerning the work of the Holy Spirit, and in humble service to God. As Pope Francis asked myself and many others in various BWA visits with him, ‘Pray for me.’ In his dedication to God, humble life of service in Christ, and personal humor and care, Pope Francis gave witness to the world that the Kingdom of God is a matter of ‘righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit’ (Romans 14:17).”

The Coptic Orthodox Church

“The Coptic Orthodox Church, headed by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, mourns the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis I, Pope of the Vatican, who departed today at the age of 88 years, after dedicating his life to serving the Catholic Church, both in Argentina and during the 12 years he sat on the Apostolic Throne of Rome. We offer our condolences to the clergy and members of the Catholic Church around the world, remembering this beloved servant and dear brother for his sincere love and true example of Christian humility, which he demonstrated throughout his fruitful journey of service.”

Most Rev. William T. McGrattan, president of Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops 

“Over the past 88 years of his Petrine Ministry, his pastoral witness and leadership of the Catholic Church as the 266th Successor of Saint Peter marked the Church, the world and our Canadian society with the values of the Gospel. Francis’ frequent consoling image of the Church as ‘a field hospital’ brought us a message of hope, peace, compassion and mercy. He desired the Church to be close to the people, to be present in ways that reflected the mercy, forgiveness and care of Christ. … Let us give thanks to God for giving us such a good shepherd, an eloquent teacher of the joy of the Gospel, a humble witness, and a fellow pilgrim of hope.”

Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments

“We pray that Francis’ soul rest in peace.”

Josh Shepherd contributed to this article.

Adelle M. Banks and Fiona André are national reporters for Religion News Service.