'A voice for peace': The tributes to Pope Francis after his death - John Swinney, Keir Starmer, archbishops

He has been remembered as the “People’s Pope” - the first pontiff from the Americas or the Southern Hemisphere who became a “rare leader who made us want to be better people”.

Pope Francis, who died aged 88 on Easter Monday just a day after greeting crowds in Vatican City, drew moving tributes for his strong advocacy for the poor and marginalised.

He was described as someone full of compassion, mercy and “irrepressible hope”. Catholics came together across the globe to mourn the death of a pontiff hailed by the likes of King Charles III to former US president Joe Biden.

The Vatican confirmed the cause of death was from a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. Francis had recently resumed some official duties during his recovery from pneumonia, emerging from his convalescence on Easter Sunday to bless the thousands of people in St Peter’s Square.

A Rosary prayer was held in the same location in Rome on Monday night. The first reading was delivered by Sister Raffaella Petrini, president of the Vatican City State and one of the highest-ranking women at the Vatican.

Her appointment was a sign of Francis’s insistence that women be given more prominent, decision-making roles.

Pope Francis appears on the central lodge of St. Peter's Basilica yesterday (April 20) to bestow the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for to the city and the world) blessing at the end of the Easter mass. | AP

History’s first Latin American pontiff charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor, but alienated many conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change.

But the tributes in the hours following his death were full of only praise, as the leader of the world’s Roman Catholics was described by the King, whom he met in Italy in recent weeks, as someone who had “profoundly touched the lives of so many”.

Charles said he and Camilla were “most deeply saddened” to learn of the Pope’s death and “were greatly moved to have been able to visit him” so recently.

In a statement, Charles said: “Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many. The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Francis had been “a Pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten”.

At a mass in London in the Pope’s honour on Monday evening, the leader of Catholics in England and Wales said while there is a “sadness of loss”, there remains a “confidence of faith and hope”.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols told worshippers at Westminster Cathedral: “We know a voice has fallen silent, a voice that’s been heard in every corner of the world, a voice of warm encouragement and sharp challenge, expressing both the love of God and a deep love of our shared humanity.”

“This voice is silent, for a more authoritative voice has spoken – that of his heavenly father, calling him home to be with his lord and master forever.”

In Scotland, First Minister John Swinney expressed his “deep sadness” at the death of Pope Francis, after his the pontiff’s passing was confirmed by the Vatican.

In a statement, Mr Swinney said: “A trailblazer as the first pope in history from the southern hemisphere, His Holiness’s belief in the goodness of people was as unshakeable as his devotion to the church. He was held in affection by so many for his humility, and his ability to connect with people of all ages, nationalities and beliefs.

“His Holiness was outspoken on many of the pressing issues of our time such as climate change, the death penalty and the rise of artificial intelligence. He would regularly engage with world leaders and hold them to account for their words and actions.

“Pope Francis recognised and championed the virtue of compassion and advocated for poor and marginalised communities across the world. He brought comfort, assurance and hope to many ... may he rest in peace.”

READ MORE: Vatican official: Pope Francis has died aged 88

The Archbishop of Glasgow said Pope Francis’s social values resonated with the people of Scotland.

Around 400 mourners attended a 1pm mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew in Glasgow, less than seven hours after Francis’s death.

The Easter Monday Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis hailed the late leader of the Catholic Church as a “father”.

The Most Rev William Nolan, Archbishop of Glasgow, told the congregation: “Today we mark the passing of Pope Francis from one life to the next.” He added: “That he died on Easter Monday reminds us that death has no end.”

Bishop John Kennan, president of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, said: “We thank God for the Pope’s service, which was always human and humble in its informal style and with a message of god’s universal love and unconditional mercy that brought hope to so many.

“A man of the poor who lived simply, Pope Francis was a voice for the voiceless and all those who find themselves on the margins in our world. A man of peace, he called the church to listen to everyone, to move forward together as a family, to find a conciliatory approach to those of different beliefs and lifestyles, for an end to conflicts across the world and for the care of creation as god’s precious gift to humanity.”

Most Reverend Leo Cushley, the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, said Francis had “shared Christ’s mercy and compassion to all, especially the poor and the vulnerable”, and “worked tirelessly, often through illness and infirmity, to seek unity in a divided world”.

He said: “He called for peace on Earth, may the living Lord now grant him the peace of eternal rest.”

Archbishop of Glasgow William Nolan said he shared the “sense of loss of millions of people around the globe at the passing of Pope Francis”.

He said “the whole Church, and indeed the wider world should be very grateful to God for the gift of this Pope”, saying that, while “at times” he had been “controversial”, Francis had been “a blessing for the Church and for wider society”.

He added: “He will be remembered for many things … but his emphasis on the great love and mercy of God and his reminder to the Church that it should always bring God’s mercy and love to all was perhaps his most repeated call”.

The Pope made his first public appearance since his bout of double pneumonia on April 6, when he appeared in St Peter’s Square in a wheelchair during a special Jubilee Mass for the sick following his discharge from hospital two weeks previously.

Francis has briefly met Catholic US Vice President JD Vance on Easter Sunday - just hours before the pontiff’s death.

Cardinal Nichols is among those expected to travel to Rome in the coming days as a period of mourning gets under way ahead of the Pope’s funeral and the conclave meeting to elect his successor.

There are five cardinals across the UK and Ireland, although only three – Cardinal Nichols, Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe and Rome-based Cardinal Arthur Roche – who are younger than 80 and therefore of voting age.

Outside of the Catholic Church, the leaders of other religions also paid tribute to Francis.

The Church of England’s most senior bishop Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell described the Pope as having been “witty, lively, good to be with”.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said he was “deeply saddened to hear of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis”.

He said: “The Holy Father dedicated his life to serving the poor and dispossessed. My thoughts are with Scotland’s Catholic communities and Catholics worldwide.”

Holyrood’s Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone also paid tribute to Pope Francis, saying: “ On behalf of [the Scottish Parliament], I extend my deepest sympathy to all of Scotland's Catholic community on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.

“We will remember his compassion and humanity. As a mark of our respect, our flags will fly at half-mast at Holyrood.”

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Sir Keir pointed to Pope Francis’s “leadership in a complex and challenging time for the world and the church”, which he said “was often courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility”.

Sir Keir added: “Pope Francis was a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten. He was close to the realities of human fragility, meeting Christians around the world facing war, famine, persecution and poverty. Yet he never lost the faith-fuelled hope of a better world.

“That hope was at the heart of his papacy. His determination to visibly live out his faith inspired people across the world to see afresh the church’s teachings of mercy and charity.

“My thoughts are with Catholics across the world, and the Roman Catholic church. May His Holiness rest in peace.”

Pope Francis butted heads with conservatives in the Catholic Church during his papacy. Picture: Buda Mendes/Getty Images | Getty Images

UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch paid tribute to Pope Francis’s “humility, courage, and conviction” following his death.

“Pope Francis spent his final Easter yesterday bearing witness to the faith he devoted his life to — a quiet presence at a time when the world needed humility, courage, and conviction,” Ms Badenoch posed to X.

“His death on Easter Monday feels especially poignant. He reminded us that leadership isn’t about power, but about service.

“When I met him in 2022, he spoke warmly of the UK and the values we share. In a world that too often turns away from faith, he stood firm. May he rest in peace.”

Sir Ed Davey has paid tribute to Pope Francis as “a leader of compassion and courage”.

The Liberal Democrat leader said: “Pope Francis’s passing is a profound loss to millions across the world. He was a leader of compassion and courage, speaking up for those in need and calling for peace in a world too often divided.

“His influence reached far beyond the Church. He offered hope by reminding us of strength in kindness and faith. We should remember his example: stand up for what’s right, care for others, and hold onto compassion and hope.”

The Right Reverend Dr Shaw Paterson, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, expressed his condolences to the Catholic Church in Scotland.

He urged the “blessed memory of Francis continue to serve as an example to the faithful people of God in our shared pilgrimage and in our common task of caring for God’s creation”.

Speaking about the Pope, he added: “May he rest in peace.”

Sabir Zazai, CEO of the Scottish Refugee Council, said that Pope Francis was “a beacon of hope and humanity in our troubled world”.

He added: “His unwavering commitment to justice, peace, and the dignity of refugees will continue to inspire millions across the globe. May he rest in peace, and may his noble legacy live on.”

Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, founder of Mary's Meals, said that Pope Francis’ “words and actions have been a source of great encouragement to all of us working to eradicate hunger”.