(NewsNation) — Leaders around the globe paid tribute to Pope Francis after the Vatican confirmed his death Monday.
Despite a bout of double pneumonia, 88-year-old Francis emerged from his doctor-ordered convalescence to make several public appearances during Holy Week. He spent his final day celebrating Easter with believers outside St. Peter’s Basilica.
Francis was known for his decision to lead a simple life and his progressive viewpoints, which challenged the church’s long-held beliefs on abortion, LGBTQ+ rights and environmental issues, among other topics.
US leaders react to Pope Francis’ death
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to fly all flags in the United States at half-staff in honor of Pope Francis.
Trump announced the order at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll hours after Francis’ death Monday.
“He was a good man, worked hard. He loved the world, and it’s an honor to do that,” Trump told a crowd of participating children and families.
Trump also shared a brief message on his social media platform, Truth Social, earlier that morning: “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!”
Former President Joe Biden, the second Catholic commander in chief in U.S. history, honored Francis with a post on X.
“It is with great sadness that Jill and I learned of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. He was unlike any who came before him. Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time and I am better for having known him. For decades, he served the most vulnerable across Argentina and his mission of serving the poor never ceased,” Biden wrote.
“As Pope, he was a loving pastor and challenging teacher who reached out to different faiths,” the post continued. “He commanded us to fight for peace and protect our planet from a climate crisis. He advocated for the voiceless and powerless. He made all feel welcome and seen by the Church. He promoted equity and an end to poverty and suffering across the globe. And above all, he was a Pope for everyone. He was the People’s Pope — a light of faith, hope, and love.”
U.S. President Joe Biden, right, greets Pope Francis ahead of a working session on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Energy, Africa-Mediterranean, on day two of the 50th G7 summit at Borgo Egnazia, southern Italy, on Friday, June 14, 2024. (Christopher Furlong/Pool Photo via AP) 
Pope Francis meets with Vice President JD Vance and delegation during an audience at Casa Santa Marta on April 20 in Vatican City, Vatican. 
Christian rosaries and light candles are placed at the statue of Pope John Paul II, outside the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, where Pope Francis is being treated for pneumonia in Rome on March 10. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Vice President JD Vance met with Francis on Easter Sunday.
“I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him,” Vance wrote on X on Monday. “I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill.”
Former President Barack Obama also shared a statement.
“Today, Michelle and I mourn with everyone around the world – Catholic and non-Catholic alike – who drew strength and inspiration from the Pope’s example,” Obama wrote on X. “May we continue to heed his call to ‘never remain on the sidelines of this march of living hope.'”
Pope Francis’ death: World leaders pay tribute
Argentinian President Javier Milei shared “profound sorrow” at the news of Francis’ passing. Francis, the first Latin American pope, was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“As President, as an Argentine, and, fundamentally, as a man of faith, I bid farewell to the Holy Father and stand with all of us who are today dealing with this sad news,” Milei said on X, originally in Spanish.
The United Kingdom’s King Charles shared condolences in a statement posted to X that said he and his wife “will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ.”
“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,” the statement reads.
In a statement on X, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Francis and said his “legacy will continue to guide us all toward a more just, peaceful and compassionate world.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Russian President Vladimir Putin also paid their respects.
“Throughout the years of his pontificate, he actively promoted the development of dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, as well as constructive cooperation between Russia and the Holy See,” Putin said in a statement reported by Reuters.
Herzog on X called Francis a “man of deep faith and boundless compassion.”
The State of Palestine mourned the loss of a “loyal friend” in Francis, writing in a statement posted to X that the pope was “a strong defender of the values of peace, love, and faith in the entire world, and a true friend of peace and justice.”
In his final hours, Francis called for peace in Gaza and Ukraine, among other war-torn places.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his nation is grieving “together with Catholics and all Christians who looked to Pope Francis for spiritual support. Eternal memory!”
Other leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Irish President Michael Higgins and Jordan’s Queen Rania Al Abdullah, also shared condolences after the pontiff’s death.