'Love and compassion': Egypt
 
Egyptian President Fattah al-Sisi said the death of Pope Francis "is a profound loss for the entire world, as he was a voice of peace, love and compassion".

He said the pope "worked tirelessly to promote tolerance and build bridges of dialogue... and was a champion of the Palestinian cause, defending legitimate rights and calling for an end to conflict".

'A faithful friend': Palestinian president
 
"Today, we lost a faithful friend of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights," Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said, noting that the pope "recognised the Palestinian state and authorised the Palestinian flag to be raised in the Vatican".

'A loss for humanity': Lebanon
 
"We will never forget his repeated calls to protect Lebanon and preserve its identity and diversity," Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said.

He called Pope Francis's death "a loss for all humanity, for he was a powerful voice for justice and peace" who urged "dialogue between religions and cultures".

'A respected statesman': Turkey
 
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday hailed Pope Francis for his efforts to further dialogue between different faiths.

"A respected statesman, Pope Francis was a spiritual leader who placed great importance on dialogue between different faith groups," he wrote on X, saying he was also someone who took "initiative in the face of humanitarian tragedies, especially the Palestinian issue".

'In the hearts of all awakened consciences and freedom-seekers': Iran
 
"With sorrow, I offer my condolences on the passing of Pope Francis, the leader and spiritual guide of the world's Catholics," Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a statement posted on his official website.

The president of Muslim-majority Iran said the pontiff's name and memory would remain "in the hearts of all awakened consciences and freedom-seekers" for his humanitarian stances, including the "condemnation of the genocide committed by the Israeli regime in Gaza".

'Rest in peace': US
 
US President Donald Trump paid his respects Monday to Pope Francis, writing "Rest in Peace" in a short post on his Truth Social platform.

"Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!" Trump said.

Former US president Joe Biden paid tribute on Monday to late Pope Francis, saying he was "unlike any who came before him" and hailing his record of fighting for peace and equity.

"Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time and I am better for having known him," Biden, a staunch Catholic, wrote on X alongside a picture of him and the Pope.

'Stood for brotherly mankind': France
 
French President Emmanuel Macron said the pope had always been "on the side of the most vulnerable and the most fragile" and that he had stood for "brotherly humankind".

'A great man has left us': Italy
 
"Pope Francis has returned to the Father's home. It is deeply sad news, because a great man has left us," Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.

'He profoundly touched the lives of so many': United Kingdom
 
King Charles III said he was "deeply saddened" by the death of Pope Francis, and that he had been "greatly moved" to visit him earlier this month with his wife Queen Camilla.

"Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many," said King Charles, who is also the head of the Church of England.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Pope Francis's leadership was "courageous" and the pope "never lost hope of a better world".

"His leadership in a complex and challenging time for the world and the church was courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility," Starmer said in a statement, with flags set to fly at half-mast on UK government buildings for a day in his honour.

'We grieve together': Ukraine
 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday mourned the death of Pope Francis, saying the Catholic leader had "prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians."

"We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians," Zelensky wrote on social media.

'Defender' of 'humanism and justice': Russia
 
Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the late Pope Francis as a "defender" of "humanism and justice", and praised his efforts to promote dialogue between the Orthodox and Catholic churches.

Putin praised "wise" Pope Francis as a "consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice," in a letter to the Vatican published by the Kremlin, adding he had "actively promoted dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches."

'To have known him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honor for me': Argentina
 
Argentine President Javier Milei paid tribute Monday to Pope Francis's "wisdom" despite the pair's "differences", following the pontiff's death aged 88.