President Ruto joins global leaders in mourning Pope Francis

President William Ruto has joined world leaders in mourning Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday, aged 88, in Rome.

In a statement on X, Ruto mourned the pope as a man “dedicated to serving the Lord, the Church, and humanity.”

“We join the Catholic Church and the global Christian community in mourning the passing of Pope Francis,” said Ruto.

 “He will be remembered for a life committed to inclusivity, justice, and compassion for the poor and vulnerable.”

Pope Francis, the first Jesuit and first Latin American to lead the Catholic Church, died at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he had been receiving treatment after his health deteriorated.

He had been admitted on February 14 and was initially stable before his condition worsened following a respiratory attack.

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Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, confirmed his death, saying, “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”

French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute, noting that the pope was “on the side of the most vulnerable and the most fragile,” while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described him as a source of inspiration for millions.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were the last world leaders to meet the pope on Sunday at the Vatican.

The Church of England praised Pope Francis as a “servant leader,” with the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, calling him “a true follower of Jesus who cared for people, including the poor and migrants.”