Peter Dutton, Anthony Albanese pay tribute to Pope Francis
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More news: In response to news that the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has died, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton expressed his condolences to Australians "of Catholic and Christian faith upon the sad news."
In a statement, Dutton said: "His Holiness, Pope Francis, served God with the utmost devotion throughout his life. 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.”
"With God, may Pope Francis rest in peace."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also responded to the death of Pope Francis in a statement on Monday. He said: "Today, the prayers of more than a billion people - from all nations and every walk of life - go with Pope Francis to his rest."
"Pope Francis' compassion embraced all humanity. He urged us to remember all we hold in common and asked the world to hear the 'cry of the earth', our common home. He invited world leaders to join him and: "emerge from the dark night of wars and environmental devastation in order to turn our common future into the dawn of a new and radiant day."
"It was a message he echoed in our region during his historic visits to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and Timor-Leste. The first pope from the Southern Hemisphere was 'close to the people of Australia'. For Australian Catholics, he was a devoted champion and loving father," Albanese's statement reads.
Pope Francis dies aged 88
The news: Leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has died aged 88.
The context: The Vatican announced that the Pope died on the morning of Easter Monday, 21 April, at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.
The Vatican statement reads: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God."
The Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on Friday, February 14, 2025, after suffering from a bout of bronchitis for several days.
Pope Francis’ clinical situation gradually worsened, and his doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia on Tuesday, February 18.
After 38 days in hospital, the late Pope returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was the first Pope from the Americas or the southern hemisphere. Not since Syrian-born Gregory III died in 741 had there been a non-European Bishop of Rome. He was also the first Jesuit to be elected to the throne of St Peter - Jesuits were historically looked on with suspicion by Rome.
The sources: The Vatican, BBC
