‘Voice of peace’: World leaders react to death of Pope Francis, pay him tribute

Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican said in a video statement on Monday.

He was 88 years old and had recently suffered a serious bout of double pneumonia.

However, his death came as a shock after he had been driven around St. Peter’s Square in an open-air popemobile to greet cheering crowds on Easter Sunday.

Pope Francis changed the face of the modern papacy more than any predecessor by shunning much of its pomp and privilege, but his attempts to make the Catholic Church more inclusive and less judgmental made him an enemy to conservatives nostalgic for a traditional past.

Condolences from leaders around the world streamed in following the news, with people highlighting Pope Francis’s various contributions, services and stances.

Listed below are some of those reactions.

South Asia

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow and paid tribute to the late Pope’s commitment to “interfaith harmony, compassion and peaceful coexistence”.

In a statement, he extended his condolences on behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan to the Vatican ...
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