World and religious leaders commemorate Pope Francis

World and religious leaders have been reacting to the death of Pope Francis on Monday.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Pope Francis focused on ecological degradation and social injustice, and his residential schools apology in 2022 “was a crucial step” in moving the church towards meaningful reconciliation.

“His Holiness understood and taught that value in the market must never eclipse the values of society,” he said Monday morning at a campaign stop in Charlottetown, P.E.I.

“He called on us to reintegrate human values into our economic lives … So I join others in reflecting on his passing and commit myself to fulfilling his challenge,” he said.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre offered condolences to all Catholics, saying of the Pope, “His humility, compassion, and steadfast faith had a profound impact on millions of Canadians and others around the world from every faith background.”

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that he signed an executive order to lower federal and state flags to half-staff across the country in honour of Pope Francis.

“He was a good man, worked hard. He loved the world and it’s an honour to do that,” Mr. Trump said at the White House Easter Egg Roll.

Mr. Trump said Monday on social media that he will attend the funeral in Rome. It would be Mr. Trump’s first foreign trip of this administration.

U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance, who met the pontiff on Easter Sunday, said in a statement that he was happy to see him “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-19. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul,” Mr. Vance added.

French President Emmanuel Macron praised the Pope for his dedication and kindness toward the most vulnerable. “In this time of war and brutality, he had a sense for the other, for the most fragile,” Mr. Macron said.

In Paris, Notre Dame cathedral’s bells rang 88 times on Monday in tribute to the Pope’s age.

The ringing ended with a volley of bells to signal the start of a mass for Francis. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo also announced that the Eiffel Tower would be switched off Monday evening to honour the Pope.

Flags over Buckingham Palace in London and all U.K. government buildings have also been lowered to half-staff.

“Francis’s whole life and ministry was centred on Jesus who comes among us not to be served, but to serve,” said the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell who is the acting head of the Church of England.

Obituary: Francis, the people's pope

“We saw that compellingly in Francis’s service of the poor his love of neighbour, especially the displaced, migrant; the asylum seeker, his deep compassion for the well-being of the earth and his desire to lead and build the church in new ways.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the Pope “asked the world, once again, for the courage to change direction, to follow a path that ‘does not destroy, but cultivates, repairs, protects.’ ”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Pope knew how to give hope to the suffering. “We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians who looked to Pope Francis for spiritual support. Eternal memory!”

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his condolences as well saying the Pope was a “defender of the highest values of humanism and justice.”

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog called the Pope “a man of deep faith and boundless compassion.”

Francis “dedicated his life to uplifting the poor and calling for peace in a troubled world. I truly hope that his prayers for peace in the Middle East and for the safe return of the hostages will soon be answered,” Mr. Herzog wrote on X.

Friedrich Merz, who will take over as Germany’s new Chancellor next month, said on X that Francis “will be remembered for his tireless engagement for the weakest in society, for justice and reconciliation.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the Pope inspired millions of people “far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate.”

In a statement from Buckingham Palace, King Charles said that he and the Queen 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,” Charles added.

The King added that he and the Queen will always remember their meetings with Francis including earlier this month in Rome. “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 King and Queen met the Pope for about 20 minutes during their visit to Italy two weeks ago. Their official state visit to the Vatican had been called off because of the Pope’s health but a private meeting was arranged at the last minute. The royal couple celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary that day and the Pope extended his best wishes.

In a post on X the White House showed a photograph of U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania with the Pope along with another photo of Mr. Vance meeting him on Sunday. “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis,” read the caption.

With files from Bill Curry, Janice Dickson and Reuters.