Day: April 21, 2025

World leaders reacted to the death of Pope Francis on Mondays.

A message by Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla said the pope will be remembered for his “compassion” and his commitment to “all people of faith.”

“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,” the King and Queen said in a message.

UС President Donald Trump posted a message on his Truth Social platform, marking the death of the Pope. “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!” Trump wrote.

French President Emmanuel Macron was among the first world leaders to pay tribute to Pope Francis, calling him a “man of humility, on the side of the most vulnerable and most fragile.”

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa said Pope Francis had “humility” and a profound commitment to “making the Church and the world a better place.”

Meanwhile Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the late Pope a “modernist,” and said he was “a devoted champion and loving father” for Australian Catholics.

Russian President Vladimir Putin remembers Pope Francis as a “defender of the highest values of humanism and justice”, the Kremlin says. It added that Putin “had the privilege of communication with this outstanding man on many occasions.” The Russian president “will forever retain the fondest memory of him,” the Kremlin said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky paid tribute to Pope Francis, saying: “He knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer, and foster unity.”

Zelensky added that the late Pope prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians. “We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians who looked to Pope Francis for spiritual support. Eternal memory!”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said “Pope Francis has returned to the house of the Father.” “His teaching and his legacy will not be lost. We salute the Holy Father with our heart full of sadness but we know that he is now in the peace of our Lord,” she added.

German’s Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz said: “The death of Pope Francis fills me with deep sadness. Francis will be remembered for his tireless commitment to the weakest members of society, to justice and reconciliation. Humility and faith in the mercy of God were his guiding principles. The first Latin American to occupy the Apostolic See touched people around the world and across denominational boundaries through this. My thoughts at this time are with the faithful around the world who have lost their Holy Father. May he rest in peace.”

The first meeting of cardinals following the death of Pope Francis will take place on Tuesday, but this will not yet be the conclave.

In the first two months of 2025, Azerbaijan exported 61,928 tons of methanol, valued at $19.8 million, marking a 25% decline in volume and 26% surge in value year-on-year, Report informs, citing the country’s State Statistical Committee.