Washington:
President Donald Trump and former White House occupant Joe Biden were among the first to express their condolences from the United States following the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88.
Despite their differing relationships with the Vatican, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to offer a brief message, saying: “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!”
Biden, who served as only the second Roman Catholic president in U.S. history, praised the late pope as a unique and influential figure.
“Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most impactful leaders of our time, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have known him,” Biden shared alongside a photo of himself with the Pope.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also of the Catholic faith, expressed his sorrow, stating, “We join Catholics worldwide in prayer for the peaceful rest of the pontiff’s soul and for the transition period within the Catholic Church.”
Leading congressional figures also released statements, with Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer highlighting the late pope’s compassion and dedication to helping those in need.
“His papacy will be remembered as a symbol of hope and light in times of darkness. My thoughts are with the billions who are mourning his passing today,” Schumer remarked.
Hakeem Jeffries, the top Democrat in the House of Representatives, praised the pope’s humble service to the less fortunate and recalled a momentous 2015 speech by Pope Francis to a joint session of Congress as a “victorious and bipartisan” occasion.
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