Aussies pay tribute to Pope Francis following his death on Monday

Australians from all walks of life and across the political spectrum are paying tribute to Pope Francis following his passing on Monday.

Anthony Albanese, addressing the nation on Monday night, said Pope Francis was “close to the people of Australia”.

“For Australian Catholics, he was a devoted champion and loving father,” he said.

“He was truly inspirational.”

Mr Albanese was sombre and emotional while sharing the mournful statement, appearing to steady himself with a drink of water before beginning his remarks.

“The memory and example of his compassion will long endure as we mourn his death,” the prime minister said.

“We celebrate the gift of his life and presence among us and we hold on to the resonant truth of Pope Francis’ final Easter homily:

‘The light quietly shines forth even though we are in darkness; the promise of new life and a world finally set free awaits us; and a new beginning, however impossible it might seem, can take us by surprise, for Christ has triumphed over death’.

“May God welcome Pope Francis to eternal life.”

After he read from a prepared statement, Mr Albanese, a Catholic, appeared to be overcome with emotion and offered his “sincere condolences” and acknowledged it would be a “very difficult evening” for Catholic Australians.

“I have asked the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet that all flags are from the Commonwealth Government of Australia fly at half mast tomorrow as a sign of respect,” he said.

“My sincere condolences to everyone for tonight. It will be a very difficult evening.”

The sound of 88 bells rang out from St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on Monday night.

Just yesterday, Mr Albanese and finance Jodie Haydon attended Easter Sunday Mass at the iconic Cathedral with Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher.

Following his address, Mr Albanese travelled to St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne’s CBD.

By 7.16pm, a small group of mourners had gathered outside St Patrick’s.

One of them left a small bunch of yellow daisies at the gates.

Upon arrival, Mr Albanese met Monsignor Stuart Hall, the Dean of St Patrick’s.

Peter Dutton expressed his condolences to Australians of Catholic and Christian faith on behalf of the Coalition.

“His Holiness, Pope Francis, served God with the utmost devotion throughout his life,” Mr Dutton said on Monday evening.

“He was the first Pope from the Jesuit order and the first Latin American Pope. He lived frugally and simply.

“Above all else, he was driven by Christ’s values of mercy and forgiveness.

“He emphasised those values in his last Christmas address saying, ‘God’s mercy can do all things. It unties every knot, it tears down every wall of division, God’s mercy dispels hatred and the spirit of revenge’.

“With God, may Pope Francis rest in peace.”

Former prime minister Scott Morrison said he was “thankful” for the Pope’s “faithful service”.

“Condolences and prayers for comfort and support for the global Catholic Christian community for the great loss of Pope Francis,” he said.

“We are thankful for his faithful service and witness for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as he enters his eternal rest.”

Nationals Leader David Littleproud said the Pope prioritised “love over luxuries” and “faith over formalities”. “He believed in the simple life but was full in his devotion,” he said.

“The Pope was known to take the bus rather than the papal car and His Holiness moved into a guesthouse rather than the papal apartments.

“The Pope never stopped praying and working, even blessing thousands of followers right up until Easter Sunday.

“The Pope also delivered a powerful final speech, telling the world ‘there can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others’.

“May we remember the wisdom, love and purpose of Pope Francis.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns said the Pope had served as a model of “humility, simplicity and love for the poor”.

“That is how Jorge Bergoglio lived his life – and that his how Pope Francis led the Catholic Church for over a decade,” he said.

“To the end, Francis was a pope of the people.

“As an Archbishop, he would catch the bus around Buenos Aires. And as Pope, he said no to the official limousine, and instead travelled across Rome in a blue Ford Focus.

“Pope Francis understood that grace lives within every human being, whether they were born rich or poor, high or low.

“Through the strength of his example and the quiet passion of his words, he showed us the power of the great Catholic teachings.”

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan praised the Pope as a “leader of the world”.

“He was a tireless advocate for the poor. A relentless voice for the marginalised,” she said.

“He believed that caring for the sick was part of the Church’s essential mission – and that compassion for the vulnerable was core to the human condition.

“He shared a message of peace, courage, and humility.

“A message that has never mattered more.

“I offer my sincere condolences to Catholic communities across Victoria as they grieve his profound loss.

“May he rest in eternal peace.”

Archbishop of Brisbane Mark Coleridge has released a statement entitled “Goodbye My Brother”.

of Brisbane was it was “deeply saddened” by the news of the Pontiff’s passing.

“In keeping with the Church’s tradition of a nine-day mourning period following the death of a Pope, the Cathedral of St Stephen in Brisbane will be open for prayer and reflection on the Pope’s remarkable leadership, including encyclical letters such as Laudato Si’, which called for greater care for our common home, and Fratelli Tutti, which championed fraternity in a fragmented world,” the Archbishop said.

“The Archdiocese invites everyone to join in remembering and honouring the unique contribution of Pope Francis.

“A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral to which all are welcome.”

Archbishop Fisher spoke with reporters at St Mary’s Cathedral on Monday night and said the Pope’s passing during Easter was “very special”.

“Some of us will remember, the older ones here will remember 20 years ago, Pope John Paul was dying at Easter and died very soon after Easter,” he said.

“And his long suffering was a great sign to us of dignity in suffering and in old age and I think that Pope Francis has given similar witness that he persevered through his old age and sickness, kept trying to serve God and serve people to the end.

“And for him to die at Easter is very special because, as he said himself yesterday, this is when we Christians celebrate eternal life.

“We celebrate our belief that we will live on after our death and he now is experiencing exactly what he preached about yesterday.

“The truth, the mercy, the goodness, the life, the love of God that is expressed in his raising His Son from the dead and in due course, raising all of us from the dead.”

National Catholic Education Commission executive director Jacinta Collins said the Pope had inspired a generation of young people to “live with courage and compassion”.

“Through initiatives like the Global Compact on Education, Pope Francis challenged us to come together to place the individual at the centre of learning and faith formation, and to create educational systems that foster synodality, dialogue, solidarity and care for our common home,” she said.

“Under his pontificate, Catholic educators across the world were encouraged to lead with care, understanding and hope in nurturing the faith lives of young people and sharing the joy of the Gospel message.

“Pope Francis inspired a generation of young people to live with courage and compassion. His legacy will continue to guide our work in Catholic schools and shape the hearts and minds of students for generations to come.”

Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, from Argentina, became Pope in March 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.