Pope Francis Death: Tributes Pour in for Head of the Catholic Church, Whoopi Goldberg Recalls Meeting

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worldwide tributes have been flowing since the passing of Pope Francis, the cherished head of the Catholic Church, who sadly left us at the age of 88 on Monday.

cardinal kevin farrell announced in a statement on monday that pope francis had passed away. “Dearest brothers and sisters,” he wrote, “I share with you the sad news of the death of our Holy Father Francis. This morning at 7:35 am, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of his heavenly father.” He emphasized that the late pope’s life was devoted to serving the Lord and His Church. Furthermore, he pointed out that the deceased Catholic Church leader instilled in people the importance of embodying the teachings of the Gospel through faithfulness, bravery, and unconditional love.

Pope Francis, originally named Jorge Mario Bergoglio and born in Buenos Aires in 1936, was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia in February. Following more than a month’s stay at the hospital, he moved back to his Vatican residence for recuperation. Remarkably, despite his serious health state, he made a public appearance on Easter Sunday, bestowing blessings upon thousands of devotees gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg, who encountered Pope Francis in 2023 and recently again, expressed a touching sentiment on Instagram by saying, “He was the most recent individual who seemed to recall that Christ’s love embraced both believers and non-believers. He reminded me of Pope John the 23rd, who made faith tangible. May your journey as Pope Francis continue with your compassion for humanity and humor.” (sic)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who recently met with Pope Francis on Easter Sunday, also expressed his condolences. “My thoughts are with the countless Christians worldwide who adored him. It was a pleasure to encounter him yesterday, even though he appeared very unwell,” Vance posted on X (previously known as Twitter).

In a heartfelt sentiment, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his thoughts about Pope Francis, hoping that the Church would inspire joy and hope among the less fortunate. He also wished for it to foster unity among people and with nature. Moreover, he expressed his hope that this spirit of optimism would endure beyond the Pope himself.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof referred to him as a “man who embodies the essence of the common folk,” while Israeli President Isaac Herzog emphasized Pope Francis’s “endless sympathy and empathy.” (Note: I have used more contemporary terms for ‘every way’ and ‘boundless’, and replaced ‘highlighted’ with ’emphasized’ to make it sound more natural.)

Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter referred to the Pope as an “exceptional spiritual guide, relentless champion of peace,” while Scottish First Minister John Swinney described him as a “voice echoing peace, understanding, and healing.

In simpler terms, Roberta Metsola, who is the president of the European Parliament, likewise expressed her condolences by saying, “Europe grieves at the death of Pope Francis.

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2025-04-21 13:07