Message by President Lula on the passing of Pope Francis

“Today has been a day of deep sorrow for all those who, beyond religious boundaries, make love their creed.

Francis was the Pope of inclusion. And for that, we woke up today feeling a little orphaned of his affection.

An affection free of prejudice and judgment, in a world plagued by discrimination and intolerance.

To Francis, we are all brothers and sisters, created to love one another.

And because we are all siblings, there is no reason for so much discord, hatred, war, and inequality in the world.

Francis was the Pope of everyone, but above all, of the excluded. Of the poorest, the wronged, the immigrants, the voiceless, the victims of hunger and neglect.

In one of my audiences with him, we discussed the need for a Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, which Brazil effectively launched last year during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Francis was the Pope of peace, dialogue, unity, and love for all forms of life.

He issued repeated warnings about the climate crisis and the looming threat of destroying our planet, the masterpiece of divine creation.

He condemned all wars, whose preferred victims are civilians, especially women and children.

My friends,

Although today is a day of great sadness, we will always remember the joy of Pope Francis.

The smile that lit up everything and everyone.

His zest for life, good humor, optimism, and passion for soccer —traits that made him the most Brazilian of Argentinians.

In his farewell blessing on Easter Sunday, he asked us to rekindle the hope that peace is possible.

Francis was the Pope of hope. In his farewell, he renewed faith in humanity and envisioned a better future for humankind.

He said that ‘love has triumphed over hatred, truth over lies, and forgiveness over vengeance.’

This is the world we must strive to build, inspired by Pope Francis.

If we are capable of cultivating peace, love, justice, and brotherhood.

May God bless humanity.”

— President Lula, 21st April 2025

The original video message in Portuguese can be accessed at the following webpage: www.gov.br/planalto/pt-br/acompanhe-o-planalto/noticias/2025/04/mensagem-do-presidente-lula-sobre-o-falecimento-do-papa-francisco