World leaders reacted to the news Monday that Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, died Monday at the age of 88.

Francis entered Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia and, at 38 days, became the longest hospitalization of his papacy. Part of his right lung was removed in the late 1950s after a bout of pneumonia, and he suffered from chronic lung disease.

He emerged on Easter Sunday — his last public appearance, a day before his death — to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square, drawing wild cheers and applause.

The death now sets off a weekslong process of allowing the faithful to pay their final respects, first for Vatican officials in the Santa Marta chapel and then in St. Peter’s for the general public, followed by a funeral and a conclave to elect a new pope.

World leaders reacted to the news on social media.

Francis’ last official meeting was with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Easter Sunday, just one day before his passing.

In a post on X, Vance wrote: “I just leaned 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.”

The White House’s official X account posted two photos of the pope, one with President Donald Trump and his wife Melania, and the other with Vance, alongside a caption that read: “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted on her official Facebook account that read: “Pope Francis has returned to the Father’s house. A news that pains us deeply, because a great man and a great pastor leaves us. I have had the privilege to enjoy his friendship, his advice and his teachings, which never diminished even in times of trial and suffering.”

French President Emmanual Macron, in a post on X, wrote: “From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest. May it unite people with each other and with nature. May this hope continually revive beyond him. My wife and I send our thoughts to all Catholics and to the grieving world.”

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof on X:

“Pope Francis was in every way a man of the people. The global Catholic community bids farewell to a leader who recognised the burning issues of our day and called attention to them. With his sober way of life, acts of service and compassion, Pope Francis was a role model for many – Catholics and non-Catholics alike. We remember him with great respect.”

The U.K.’s King Charles issued a statement from the Royal Family, saying that he and the Queen “will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ” and that the late Pope would 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.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.