(NewsNation) — Former NBA player and human rights activist Enes Kanter Freedom remembered Pope Francis as “more than a global spiritual leader” and “a symbol of hope and peace” following the pontiff’s death Monday.

The Muslim athlete described forging a meaningful connection with the Catholic leader, which inspired him to establish a basketball camp at the Vatican, bringing together children of different faiths.

“Sports bring people together. It doesn’t matter your background, your religion, your color, whoever you are,” Freedom told NewsNation. “We brought Muslim kids, Christian kids, Jewish kids, and we had an amazing time.”

“Pope Francis was more than a global spiritual leader – he was a man of deep compassion, humility, and humanity,” Freedom posted on social media, recalling his meetings with the pope that he still calls “incredible.”

Freedom recalled his interactions with the pope, including a moment when Francis asked him to stand up so he could see how tall the basketball player was.

“Every time I see him, he definitely did put a smile on my face,” Freedom said.

Leaders from around the world have been paying tribute to Pope Francis since his death. Britain’s King Charles honored the pope on social media for “his work and care for both people and planet” who “profoundly touched the lives of so many.”

Former U.S. President Joe Biden, only the second Catholic to serve as president, posted that “Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time and I am better for having known him.”

Biden had met with the pope three times as vice president and twice as president, awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction in one of his last acts as chief executive.