Pope Francis meets UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on February 4, 2019. ARCHIVE

UAE leaders have joined the international community in mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday (April 21) at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed that the pontiff died at 7:35am at his residence in Vatican City, just a day after making a brief appearance at St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan offered his condolences on social media, highlighting Pope Francis’s lifelong dedication to promoting unity and peace. “I extend my deepest condolences to Catholics around the world on the passing of Pope Francis, who dedicated his life to promoting the principles of peaceful coexistence and understanding. May he rest in peace,” Sheikh Mohamed said on X (formerly Twitter). UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, also expressed sorrow at the passing of the late pontiff. “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis,” Sheikh Mohammed posted. “A great leader whose compassion and commitment to peace touched countless lives. His legacy of humility and interfaith unity will continue to inspire many communities around the world.” Pope Francis made history in 2013 when he became the first Jesuit pope, the first from Latin America, and the first non-European pontiff in over 1,200 years. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he quickly became a beloved global figure for his emphasis on humility, environmental stewardship, and social justice. His historic 2019 visit to the UAE marked a groundbreaking moment for interfaith relations. Pope Francis became the first pontiff to visit the Arabian Peninsula and led a public mass in Abu Dhabi, attended by tens of thousands of Catholics from across the Gulf region. The visit also saw the signing of the “Document on Human Fraternity” with the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, a declaration promoting peaceful coexistence among religions.

Tributes pour in from global leaders

World leaders responded swiftly to the news of the Pope’s passing, offering tributes that underscored his impact far beyond the Vatican. French President Emmanuel Macron praised Pope Francis as “a man of humility,” saying, “From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest… May this hope forever outlast him.”

The White House posted photos to X of US President Trump and first lady Melania Trump's 2017 meeting with Pope Francis, captioning it with: "Rest in Peace, Pope Francis." US Vice President JD Vance, who met the Pope during Easter Sunday services, reflected on the encounter, noting: “I’ll always remember him for the homily he gave in the early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, “Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted: “A great man has left us. I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his counsel and his teachings, which never failed—even in times of trial and suffering.”

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Pope’s life was “marked by his unwavering commitment to the principles of compassion, peace, and human dignity.”

What happens next in the Vatican?

With Pope Francis's passing, the Vatican has entered the period of sede vacante, during which the papal seat is vacant. The College of Cardinals, comprising 252 members, will now convene a papal conclave in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope.

Of these, 138 cardinals are eligible to vote. The process, governed by centuries-old traditions, involves up to four rounds of voting daily. A two-thirds majority is required to elect a new pontiff. Historically, the conclave lasts 15 to 20 days, with the result announced to the world by black or white smoke from the chapel chimney.

As of now, no clear frontrunner has emerged, and the world awaits the Vatican’s next chapter. ICA/Expat Media

For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page