Today humanity lost the voice of respect and acceptance of others, Brazilian President Lula da Silva said.

On Monday, progressive politicians from around the world paid tribute to Pope Francis, highlighting aspects of his life and work. Below are some notable statements

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ARGENTINA

Former Argentine President Cristina Fernandez-Kirchner expressed her “infinite sadness” over the death of Francis, the first Argentine pope.

“He was the face of a more humane Church, with his feet on the ground, without ever ceasing to look toward heaven. We’re going to miss you, Francis. The sadness we feel is infinite,” she stated.

BRAZIL

On Monday, Brazilian President Lula da Silva highlighted the loss that Pope Francis’s death represents for millions of people around the world.

“Today, humanity has lost the voice of respect and acceptance of others. Every day, Pope Francis lived and spread love, tolerance, and solidarity, which are the foundation of Christian teachings,” he said.

“May God comfort those who today, throughout the world, suffer the pain of this enormous loss. In his memory and in honor of his work, I decree seven days of mourning in Brazil. The Holy Father is gone, but his messages will remain engraved in our hearts,” the Brazilian leader emphasized.

BOLIVIA

Former President Evo Morales mourned the death of Pope Francis, an Argentine who stood out for his humanism and his pursuit of justice.

“Brother Pope Francis has departed and is now in the presence of God. He was a constant servant not only of the Gospel but also a steadfast defender of human rights, spiritual values, humanism, and above all, justice. I had the good fortune to be with him on several occasions and to receive his wise counsel. He represented the poor, the humble, and the forgotten. My condolences to the Catholic Church for the passing of a great human being. Brother Francis, we’re going to miss you,” Morales said, remembering the pope who visited Bolivia in 2015.

Current Bolivian President Luis Arce also expressed sorrow over Pope Francis’s death, describing him as “an unwavering friend of the Great Homeland and a fervent defender of the most vulnerable.”

“We express our deepest sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis, a spiritual leader who dedicated his life to promoting peace, social justice, and compassion. His voice echoed as a beacon of hope for millions around the world, and his example of humility and service inspires us to work for a fairer, more equitable, and inclusive future for all,” he said.

“Pope Francis was not only the leader of the Catholic Church but also an unwavering friend of the Great Homeland and a fervent defender of the most vulnerable. His encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ is a foundational legacy for thinking and reflecting on our Mother Earth, the climate crisis, and other ills that afflict us due to the predatory capitalist system,” Arce added.

“In this time of mourning, we extend our sincerest condolences to the Holy See, to the Catholic community, and to all those who were touched by his transformative message. May his memory inspire us to continue building bridges of understanding and unity among our peoples,” he concluded.

COLOMBIA

Colombian President Gustavo Petro delivered a very heartfelt message on the occasion of Pope Francis’s death, highlighting his role as a global ethical reference.

“I’ve lost a great friend. I feel somewhat alone. He perfectly understood his role as a spiritual leader in the great struggle for life. In the greedy causes of extinction. His encyclicals will go down in history if we are capable of building a humanity that defends its greatest good: life. Farewell, Francis,” he said.

CUBA

As soon as the news broke, President Miguel Diaz-Canel recalled Pope Francis’s expressions of solidarity toward the Cuban people. “We deeply mourn the passing of the unforgettable Pope Francis. The displays of affection and heartfelt closeness he conveyed to our fellow countrymen were always reciprocated by the Cuban people,” he said.

ECUADOR

“Pope Francis had the great courtesy of choosing Ecuador as the starting point for his first official visit to Latin America, in July 2015. Thank you for so much. This is only a farewell for now,” said former President Rafael Correa.

MEXICO

President Claudia Sheinbaum highlighted Pope Francis’s closeness to the poor and “the most humble,” and recalled that the Pontiff visited Mexico—the second country with the largest number of Catholics in the world—in 2016.

“Of course, we express our sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis, and we send our embrace to all Catholics in Mexico, but also to non-Catholics. He was a humanist, a man who stood close to the most humble and the poor,” she said, recalling that Francis held a “very progressive” vision and was critical of neoliberalism.

“His message yesterday was one of peace. It is a painful loss. May he rest in peace! Our embrace and affection to the whole world,” Sheinbaum said, remembering the first Latin American pope.

RUSSIA

Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on Pope Francis’s death, emphasizing the timing of the event. “The fact that the Pope passed away during Easter—I don’t know about Catholics, but Orthodox people have this understanding, a traditional belief, that if the Lord calls a person to Himself during Easter, this is a special sign that the person did not live his life in vain, that he did a lot of good,” he said, as reported by Baha Breaking News.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: EFE – Pagina 12 – Baha Breaking News

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