King Charles has joined world leaders in paying tribute to Pope Francis after the head of the Catholic Church died at the age of 88.
His Majesty said he was ‘deeply saddened’ to learn of the Pope’s passing earlier this morning in the Vatican City.
He said Francis, who was the first Latin American pope, would be ‘remembered for his compassion’ and had ‘profoundly touched the lives of so many’.
Shortly after King Charles and Queen Camilla visited Pope Francis during their royal trip to Italy, the Pope passed away. The King expressed how touched they were to have had the opportunity to meet him.
The Pontiff had spent the last couple of months battling health problems, including a bout of pneumonia which left him hospitalised.
Before his passing, Pope Francis had a private meeting with the royal couple on April 9. He was also present at public gatherings during the Easter weekend and recently met with US Vice President JD Vance.
However, it was announced early on Easter Monday that he had passed away, sending more than a billion Catholics worldwide into mourning.
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, Charles said: ‘My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis.
Although saddened by his death, the King and Queen found comfort in knowing that Pope Francis was able to convey Easter blessings to the Church and the world he dedicated his life to serving.
‘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.
‘Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.
‘The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month.
‘We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ.’
When they met earlier this month, they did so as the heads of two of the largest denominations of Christianity, and eight years after their previous meeting in Rome in 2017.
Days before his death the Pope had met with US Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert
Upon the news of his passing, Vance said His Eminence had been ‘very ill’ during their meeting on Easter Sunday.
In a statement posted on X, he wrote: ‘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.
‘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. It was really quite beautiful.
‘May God rest his soul.’
He was joined in remembrance of the late pontiff by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who said Francis was a ‘pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten’.
He said: ‘I join millions around the world in grieving the death of His Holiness Pope Francis.
‘His leadership in a complex and challenging time for the world and the church was courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility.
‘Pope Francis was a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten. He was close to the realities of human fragility, meeting Christians around the world facing war, famine, persecution and poverty. Yet he never lost hope of a better world.
‘That hope was as the heart of his papacy. His determination to visibly live out his faith inspired people across the world to see afresh the church’s teachings of mercy and charity.
‘With his death, we are reminded once more of his call to care for one another across different faiths, backgrounds, nations and beliefs.
‘My thoughts are with Catholics across the world, and the Roman Catholic church. May His Holiness Rest in Peace.’
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