King Charles has expressed his profound sorrow at the passing of Pope Francis, honoring the late Pontiff’s unwavering faith, compassion, and dedication to those in need.
In a heartfelt statement, the King reflected on Pope Francis’s enduring legacy, saying he "will be remembered for his compassion, his commitment to unity within the Church, and his tireless devotion to the shared values of people of faith and all those of goodwill striving to serve others."
The King extended his condolences to Catholics worldwide and to the “countless people who, inspired by his life, now mourn the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ.”
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis chose his papal name in tribute to St. Francis of Assisi, whose reverence for the natural world remains influential. King Charles highlighted the Pope’s deep concern for the environment, stating that “his belief that care for Creation is a profound expression of faith in God resonated with people across the globe. Through his compassion for both humanity and the planet, he deeply touched countless lives.”
The Monarch recalled his final meeting with Pope Francis just under two weeks ago, when the Pontiff welcomed him to the Vatican for a private audience. The planned State Visit had initially been postponed due to the Pope’s hospitalization with bilateral pneumonia. The visit was rescheduled and took place on April 9, 2025—coinciding with the 20th wedding anniversary of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Reflecting on their visit, the King said, “The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years, and we were deeply moved to have been able to see him earlier this month.”
Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, shortly after delivering his final Easter Urbi et Orbi message from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, in which he declared that “love had triumphed over hatred.”
Elected in March 2013, Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy of humility, hope, and global moral leadership. Photo by Long Thiên, Wikimedia commons.