Death of the Pope: the EU honors a man with a ‘pure love for the most disadvantaged’

Brussels – Ursula von der Leyen stated on X that Pope Francis “has inspired millions of people, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and his pure love for the most disadvantaged.”

On the same social network, the President of the European Council Antonio Costa expressed his hope that Pope Francis’s ideas continue to “guide us towards a future of hope,” despite the international context and numerous conflicts.

“He was deeply compassionate. He cared about the great global challenges of our time – migration, climate change, inequalities, peace – as well as the daily struggles of each person,” continued the former Portuguese Prime Minister.

Like leaders from around the world, the head of European diplomacy expressed her deep sadness at the death of the Argentine Jesuit. “During our recent meeting in Rome, I thanked Pope Francis for his strong leadership in protecting the most vulnerable and defending human dignity,” Kaja Kallas wrote on X. (April 21, 2025)