Fashion world honors Pope Francis for his vision, values and legacy of peace
Deep sorrow and great emotion have marked the response of the global fashion industry following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at 7:35 a.m. on April 21.
Across the creative and cultural spheres, prominent voices in fashion and beyond paid tribute to the pontiff's enduring legacy. Known for his compassion, humility, and dedication to peace and the planet, Pope Francis left an impression on individuals from all walks of life—including leaders from the fashion world.
Donatella Versace, artistic director of the iconic Italian fashion house Versace, honored the Pope by posting a photo of him on Instagram, writing: "Rest in peace, His Holiness Pope Francis." Renzo Rosso, founder of the Only the Brave group—which owns brands such as Diesel, Marni, and Maison Margiela —shared his admiration in a heartfelt message: "Thank you, Pope Francis, for your example, courage, and commitment to our planet." Rosso met the Pope several years ago in a private audience, where he was gifted a pair of white jeans.
Federico Marchetti, Italian entrepreneur and founder of the luxury e-commerce platform Yoox, also shared a personal photo from his meeting with Pope Francis, captioned: "Requiescat in pace, Franciscus." He went further, publishing the Pope's final speech in full. Fashion editor and influencer Anna Dello Russo echoed similar sentiments on Instagram: "Goodbye Francis. He was the Pope of the forgotten, the poor, the marginalized and the persecuted."
Tributes extended beyond the fashion industry. King Charles III of the United Kingdom—who established the Fashion Task Force under the Sustainable Markets Initiative in 2020 while still Prince of Wales, with Marchetti as chairman—honored the pope's spiritual and ecological legacy. In a message released by Buckingham Palace on behalf of both himself and Queen Camilla, the monarch reflected: "His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the church and his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith and those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others. His belief that caring for Creation is a fundamental expression of faith in God resonated with so many across the world."
Italian Undersecretary of Culture Lucia Borgonzoni also reflected on Pope Francis's connection to art and culture. "Among the many messages of deep spirituality he has delivered to history—such as his powerful and moving appeals for peace, so fragile in these times marred by conflict and oppression—what will remain unforgettable to me are the words filled with love that he dedicated to art in all its forms," she wrote. "He recognized the essential role of art in each of our lives, as well as the importance of cultural figures."
According to the official medical certificate, Pope Francis died from a cerebral stroke, coma, and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was 88 years old. He became the 266th pontiff of the Catholic Church following his election on March 13, 2013, after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
His health began to decline in March due to bilateral pneumonia, resulting in a 38-day hospitalization at Rome's Gemelli Polyclinic, which ended on Sunday, March 23. He gradually resumed his duties and made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday, when he toured Saint Peter's Square aboard the Popemobile. There, he delivered the traditional "urbi et orbi" blessing—a solemn message addressed "to the city [of Rome] and to the world"—and briefly greeted U.S. Vice President Vance.
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