King Charles, PM Keir Starmer lead UK tributes to Pope Francis

King Charles III and Prime Minister Keir Starmer led an outpouring of tributes in the UK after the Vaticans announcement that Pope Francis had passed away on Easter MondayPope Francis the first Latin American priest to lead the Roman Catholic Church had appeared in St Peters Square in Vatican City for the customary Easter celebrations on Sunday his first major public event after being discharged from hospital recently following five weeks of treatment for an infectionHis death will set in motion a centuriesold process of electing a new Pope through a papal conclaveOur heavy hearts have been somewhat eased however to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry King Charles and Queen Camilla said in a statement released by Buckingham PalaceHis Holiness will be remembered for his compassion his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world they saidThe British royals who had met the Pope on their visit to Italy earlier this month praised his work and care for both people and planetWe send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who inspired by his life will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ the statement concludedStarmers statement issued by 10 Downing Street hailed the Popes leadership in a complex and challenging time for the world and the Catholic Church in a courageous way and with deep humilityThe British Prime Minister said 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 hope of a better world That hope was as the heart of his papacy His determination to visibly live out his faith inspired people across the world to see afresh the churchs teachings of mercy and charity With his death we are reminded once more of his call to care for one another across different faiths backgrounds nations and beliefs My thoughts are with Catholics across the world and the Roman Catholic church May His Holiness Rest in PeaceFormer British prime minister Rishi Sunak was among those taking to social media to express their condolencesPope Francis spoke to the world with moral clarity and humility He reminded us of the dignity of every person especially the poor and those without a voice said the British Indian Opposition Conservative Party MPMy thoughts are with Catholics and all those around the world who drew strength from his leadership he saidTory leader Kemi Badenoch said the Popes death on Easter Monday feels especially poignant adding that he reminded us that leadership isnt about power but about serviceScotlands First Minister John Swinney a practicing Catholic said the Pope was a voice for peace tolerance and reconciliationEluned Morgan the First Minister of Wales said Pope Francis led with unwavering humility courage and profound compassionNorthern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill noted the Popes 2018 visit to Ireland during which he spoke passionately in support of the peace process while Deputy First Minister Emma LittlePengelly offered her sincere condolences to all those who mourn his deathThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoeveratOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params