World leaders joined the Catholic faithful in mourning the loss of Pope Francis on Monday (April 21), the first Latin American pontiff in the church’s history.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, leader of one of the two Catholic nations in Asia, described the pope as “the best Pope in my lifetime.,”

“By example, Pope Francis tauthgt us that to be a good Christian is to extend kindness and care to one another,’ said Marcos in social media statement.

President Jose Ramos Horta of East Timor ordered flags in the country lowered to half staff for a week.

The chief executive of another predominantly Catholic nation in Asia has describe the death of Pope Francis as a “global loss.”

US Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert,stated:
“My heart goest 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.”

Vance was the last government official that Pope Francis saw before he died. The US vice president and his family visited the ailing pontiff last Easter Sunday.

In Pope Francis’ native Argentina, President Javier Melei lauded the pontiff for focusing on “inter-religious dialogues”.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his nation joins the millions mourning for the death of Pope Francis, saying that the Catholic leader was able to show the world “how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer and foster unity.”

“We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians who looked to Pope Francis for spiritual support,” Zelenskyy said in a statement.

The pope made it his mission to seek worldwide peace, encouraging leaders in nations at war such as Ukraine, Russia, Israel and Palestine to support negotiated peace, pointing out that this is better than a war with no end.

“Pope Francis enjoyed great international authority as a faithful servant of Christian teaching, a wise religious and statesman, and a consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice,” said Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He added: “I had the opportunity to communicate with this outstanding person on many occasions, and I will forever preserve the brightest memories of him.”

England’s King Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, said in a statement:

“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 Chiurch and for his commitment ot he common causes of all people of faith,a nd to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others,” they said.

French President Emmanuel Macron noted that Pope Francis “wanted the

Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest” from Buenos Aires to Rome.

Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “ My thoughts are with all who feel this profound loss. May they find solace int he idea that Pope Fran cis legacy will continue to guide us all toward a more just, peaceful and compassionate world.”