'His compassion will long endure': Australian leaders pay tribute to Pope Francis

21-04-2025

Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here BREAKING Pope Francis dies aged 88 Albanese said the Pope was as close to the people of Australia as the first pontiff from the Southern Hemisphere, in an address to the nation after the announcement of the pope's death on Easter Monday. "Pope Francis's love for humanity was powerful and profound," Albanese said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addresses the media following the death of Pope Francis, in Melbourne. (Alex Ellinghausen) "The memory and example of his compassion will long endure." The prime minister, who wore a black suit and tie, has asked for flags across Australia to be flown at half-mast tomorrow. At times, he appeared emotional. "Australian Catholics and faithful around the world give thanks for the life of their holy Father. Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome," Albanese said. "Today, the prayers of more than a billion people from all nations in every walk of life go with Pope Francis to his rest. Pope Francis appears on the central lodge of St. Peter's Basilica to bestow the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for to the city and to the world) blessing at the end of the Easter mass presided over by Cardinal Angelo Comastri in St Peter's Square at the Vatican on Sunday, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) "His was a papacy of firsts, the first pope to hail from the Americas, the first Jesuit pope, and the first to take the name of that great champion of the poor, Saint Francis of Assisi. "Pope Francis' compassion embraced all humanity, and today he will be mourned by Catholics and non-Catholics alike." Albanese visited St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne to pay his respects. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has also paid tribute on behalf of the Coalition. "His Holiness, Pope Francis, served God with the utmost devotion throughout his life. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) together with Monsignor Stuart Hall (left) departs Saint Patrick's Cathedral after paying his respects following the death of Pope Francis, in Melbourne, on Monday 21 April 2025 (Alex Ellinghausen) "He was the first Pope from the Jesuit order and the first Latin American Pope. "He lived frugally and simply. "Above all else, he was driven by Christ's values of mercy and forgiveness. "He emphasised those values in his last Christmas address saying, 'God's mercy can do all things. It unties every knot; it tears down every wall of division; God's mercy dispels hatred and the spirit of revenge.'" The Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher has said Pope Francis "embodied Christ's command to care for all people, especially the most vulnerable." "The Church in Sydney and Australia joins with people throughout the world in mourning the passing of the Holy Father, Pope Francis," Fisher said. "As priest, bishop and pope, he embodied Christ's command to care for all people, especially the most vulnerable." Pope Francis
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