Emmanuel Macron Pays Tribute to Pope Francis, “A Champion of Justice and Humanity”

A Solemn Tribute from Mayotte

From Mayotte, where he is on an official visit, Emmanuel Macron paid tribute on Monday, April 21st, to the memory of Pope Francis, just moments after the announcement of his passing at the age of 88. The Sovereign Pontiff passed away at 7:35 AM in his residence at Saint Martha, as confirmed by the Vatican.

A Message of Condolences and Global Support

In an emotional statement, the French President spoke of “a great pain shared by many in France and across the globe.” He extended “his sincerest condolences to all Catholics worldwide,” emphasizing “the special place” Pope Francis held in the hearts of millions of believers and non-believers alike.

The Fight for Justice and Humanity

“Throughout his life, he fought for more justice, for a certain idea of humanity—a fraternal idea in which many find themselves,” said Emmanuel Macron. He paid tribute to “the vocation of a man, a religious figure, a bishop, a cardinal, and later a pope,” who remained true to a tradition of humility, compassion, and commitment to the “most vulnerable and the most fragile.”

A Voice for Peace in a World Marked by Brutality

In a world marked by conflict and division, the French president recalled the moral strength that the Argentine pontiff represented: “With a profound sense of the other, he embodied a voice of peace and fraternity, essential in these times of war and brutality.”

A Universal Inspiration and Spiritual Legacy

Emmanuel Macron spoke from Mayotte, a region recently devastated by Cyclone Chido, where he came to present a “reconstruction” plan and accelerate the rebuilding of the archipelago. Despite this local context, the president made sure to honor the moment by paying tribute to a spiritual figure who “inspired far beyond the Catholic Church.”