News & Politics • 10:08 • Modified at 12:38 Pope Francis dies, shortly after Urbi et Orbi Author : BNR Web Editors Pope Francis has died at the age of 88. He had been in hospital for five weeks with double pneumonia and had recently been released. The Argentine, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, had been the head of the Roman Catholic Church since 2013.
The Vatican reports that the Pope died this morning, Easter Monday. A day earlier, he appeared before a large audience from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, when the blessing was pronounced, the traditional Urbi et Orbi. He did not pronounce the annual Easter blessing himself. He also had a brief meeting with US Vice President JD Vance.
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King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima are 'deeply affected' by the death of Pope Francis. They said this in a statement. 'We remember our personal encounters with him with warmth, including during our state visit to the Holy See in 2017. Pope Francis radiated compassion in everything.'
Prime Minister Dick Schoof remembers Pope Francis with 'deep respect', he announced on X. 'With his deeply felt sobriety, service and humanity, Pope Francis was an example to many, including non-Catholics', the Prime Minister said.
The church leader who died on Easter Monday 'was in every way a man among men', says Schoof. 'The Catholic world community bids farewell to a leader who saw and named the needs of our time.'
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With the death of Pope Francis, the world has lost 'a valued leader and source of inspiration', Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said on X. 'On the world stage, he emphasized the importance of caring for the environment and worked tirelessly to combat poverty and world peace.'
The NSC minister also praises the significance of Pope Francis for the church itself. 'Under his leadership, the Roman Catholic Church became a more inclusive community, where everyone feels welcome. He also promoted interreligious dialogue.'
Minister of Justice David van Weel met Pope Francis in Rome the day before his death, he announced on X. 'A very special moment', according to the VVD minister, who as Minister of Religious Affairs is also responsible for religious and philosophical affairs. Van Weel calls the death of the 88-year-old Francis sad news. 'My thoughts are with all those affected by his passing.'
In the radio program Sven op 1, Van Weel called the pope a world leader 'who really made his mark' in his years at the head of the church. The pope appeared in public on Sunday for the traditional Easter blessing 'urbi et orbi', and then had himself driven around St. Peter's Square. 'I think he has fully charged himself to be able to experience Easter', according to Van Weel.
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Pope Francis was a lot less judgmental about homosexuality and transgender people than his predecessors. 'He did not pass judgment on LGBTI+, he allowed the blessing for same-sex couples, as well as baptism for transgender people. That was very much appreciated by many people in the rainbow community', said a spokesperson for the COC advocacy group on Monday in response to the death of the 88-year-old church leader.
But for many LGBTI+ people, the relatively open attitude of this pope did not yet feel like an 'unconditional welcome' by the Roman Catholic Church, according to the COC. 'We hope that the path taken by Francis will be continued by his successor, so that ultimately all LGBTI+ people who want to can feel at home in the Roman Catholic Church.'
Giorgia Meloni Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has praised the late Pope Francis on Instagram as a "great man and a great pastor." "I have had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his counsel and his teachings, which were never wrong, even in times of trial and suffering."
According to Meloni, the Pope's legacy will not be lost. She says that in his spirit, "we will pursue the common good and build a fairer and more just society."
Director Rolien Sasse of peace organization PAX calls the pope 'very special because he always used his papacy for the weaker members of society, and he even did so on Sunday'. Sasse describes the late pope as 'an example of humility and connection, and a tireless inspiration for peace'.
PAX was created by the merger of Pax Christi Netherlands and the Interchurch Peace Council (IKV). The IKV was founded in the 1960s by nine religious communities to find ways to promote peace. Sasse met the Pope in 2019 and remembers him as 'incredibly friendly and warm, with a smile and a question for everyone'. She says that warmth and inspiration were important 'in our unjust world'.
Protection of life Cardinal Wim Eijk describes Francis as someone with 'a big heart for the weaker members of society'. 'He showed this again and again in his texts and through the visits he made to marginalized groups. He also emphasized the worthiness of protecting life, from the beginning to the end.' Francis was 'a pope of encouragement', according to Eijk, referring to two meetings the Dutch bishops had with Francis in 2013 and in 2022.
'As he often did, he put aside his prepared speech on that occasion and really entered into dialogue with us. Both times he made a powerful appeal to persevere and not to lose courage. Not to look back in nostalgia, but to focus on the future. He gave us that message and with it all Catholics in the Netherlands', says the cardinal. Bishop Hans van den Hende also mentions how Francis stood up for the poor and called for careful handling of the world.
