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The latest: Mourning and tributes for Pope Francis shared around the world

Published: 22 Apr. 2025, 20:46 Updated: 22 Apr. 2025, 20:58

Cardinal Silvano Tomasi arrives in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 22. [AP/YONHAP]

Grief and tributes for Pope Francis were shared around the world Tuesday, a day after the popular pontiff died at the age of 88.

Cardinals will meet at the Vatican on Tuesday to begin scheduling Pope Francis’ funeral and burial, planning the conclave to elect his successor and making other decisions about running the Catholic Church.

History’s first Latin American pontiff charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor, but alienated many conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change.

Francis recently returned to the Vatican after 38 days in a hospital for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy. He last appeared in public on Sunday with an Easter blessing and popemobile tour through a cheering crowd in St. Peter’s Square. No funeral date has been announced. The next pope is yet to be decided.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, left, prays in front of the body of Pope Francis laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican on April 21. [AP/YONHAP]

Here's the latest:

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton canceled campaign events planned for Tuesday out of respect for the late pontiff, as early voting began for a May 3 general election.

Flags were flown at half-staff at government buildings across the country, where a 2021 census found 20 percent of the population were Catholics.

Albanese was raised as a Catholic but chose to be sworn in as prime minister when he was elected in 2022 by making a secular affirmation rather than by taking an oath on a Bible.

Pope Francis, left, is flanked by Cardinal Kevin Farrell during a vigil at Campo San Juan Pablo II in Panama City on Jan. 26, 2019. [AP/YONHAP]

Albanese attended a Mass in honor of the pope in Melbourne’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Tuesday morning.

“I try not to talk about my faith in public,” Albanese told reporters, but added, “At times like this, I think what people do is they draw on who they are, and certainly my Catholicism is just a part of me."

Dutton, who was raised by a Catholic father and Protestant mother and attended an Anglican school, planned to go to a church service in Sydney.

“I don’t think it’s a day for overt politicking at all. I think that the day is best spent reflecting,” Dutton told the state-run broadcaster, ABC.

The Indian flag flew at half-staff on Tuesday at all government buildings as the country observed three days of mourning as a mark of respect for Pope Francis.

The flag will fly half-staff for the next two days, as well as on the day of the pontiff’s funeral, the Home Ministry said in a statement.

Members of Taiwan's Catholic community gathered at a church in the capital, Taipei, for a somber mass as believers prayed and reflected on Francis’ spiritual legacy.

Former Premier Chen Chien-jen, a devout Catholic who visited the Vatican multiple times at the invitation of Francis and previous popes, spoke of the deep loss felt by the faithful.

Chen said “Pope Francis has led all of our churches to thrive over the past 12 years, making significant contributions to world peace and environmental sustainability,” adding, “We will remember the teachings he gave us: that we are all brothers and that loving one another makes the world a more peaceful place.”

Bernard Li, former president of Fu Jen Catholic University, highlighted the pope’s compassion and dedication to humanitarian causes.

“He was a compassionate pope who has consistently advocated for world peace and racial equality,” Li said.

President Lai Ching-te ordered flags to fly at half-staff on Tuesday in a show of mourning and respect.

AP