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Whoopi Goldberg, JD Vance and more have paid tribute to Pope Francis after the Catholic Church leader died on Monday at the age of 88.
Vatican officials confirmed the Pope’s death, with Cardinal Kevin Farrell saying in a statement: “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 faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized.”
Francis had been experiencing health issues lately, having been hospitalized in February with bronchitis, which led to double pneumonia and several respiratory crises. However, he was released from the hospital on March 23 and came out of convalescence on Easter Sunday to bless thousands of people on St. Peter’s Square.
Goldberg, who met the Pope in 2023 and again last year, wrote on Instagram that “he was the closest in a long time that seemed to remember that Christ’s love enveloped believer and none [sic] believer. He felt more like Pope John the 23rd who made belief real. Sail on Pope Frances [sic] with your love of humanity & Laughter.”
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who met with Francis on Easter Sunday and was the last government official to visit him, wrote on X that his “heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill.”
“But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID,” he added, linking to a prayer the Pope presided over in March 2020. “It was really quite beautiful.”
I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days…— JD Vance (@JDVance) April 21, 2025
The White House’s official X account then posted photos of Trump and Vance with the Pope alongside the caption, “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also remembered Pope Francis, writing on his social media: “From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest. May it unite people with each other and with nature. May this hope continually revive beyond him. My wife and I send our thoughts to all Catholics and to the grieving world.”
De Buenos Aires à Rome, le Pape François voulait que l’Église apporte la joie et l’espoir aux plus pauvres. Qu’elle unisse les Hommes entre eux et avec la nature. Puisse cette espérance ressusciter sans cesse au-delà de lui.À tous les Catholiques,… pic.twitter.com/oFKBJwaweH— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 21, 2025
