'A man of humility': NZ joins world leaders to pay tribute to pontiff

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and world leaders are mourning the loss of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday.

The Vatican announced that the head of the Catholic Church had died, aged 88, after a long illness.

Statistics from the 2023 Census show that Catholicism is the largest Christian religion in New Zealand, with close to 450,000 members.

Following the news of Pope Francis' death, Luxon expressed his sadness on social media.

"I am saddened to hear of the passing of Pope Francis.

"A man of humility. His legacy includes an unwavering commitment to the vulnerable, to social justice, and to interfaith dialogue.

"My thoughts are with Catholics and all those in New Zealand and around the world who mourn his death."

Pope Francis, who was the first Pope from Latin America, had faced serious health issues, including double pneumonia.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters, also shared his condolences.

The BBC reports that the Union Flag will be flown at half-mast at royal residences where King Charles III is not present.

A royal source told the network that sombre music will be played at the Changing of the Guard ceremony to reflect "the sadness of the occasion".

If the Vatican agrees, a member of the Royal Family is expected to attend the Pope's funeral. But the BBC adds that it is too early to say who will travel to pay their respects.

US Vice President JD Vance, who met the Pope just days before his passing, expressed his heartfelt sympathies for Christians worldwide who admired the pontiff.

Vance recalled a beautiful homily the Pope gave early in the Covid-19 pandemic.

"I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the homily he gave in the very early days of Covid. It was quite beautiful. May God rest his soul."

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins also spoke about the loss, saying Pope Francis was a compassionate leader who dedicated his mission to social justice and inclusivity, challenging everyone to create a better world.

"Very sad to hear of the passing of Pope Francis. Throughout his papacy, he showed deep compassion and an unwavering commitment to social justice, inclusion, and the dignity of every person.

"His leadership challenged us all to build a fairer and more caring world."

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark remembered Pope Francis as a globally respected figure for his peace and justice advocacy.

"Deeply saddened by news of the death of Pope Francis; respected globally for his dedication to peace & justice.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Labour Leader Chris Hipkins pay tribute to Pope Francis. Photo/file

"He also made history as the 1st Pope from Latin America. May Pope Francis rest in peace now," Clark posted on social media.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Francis connected with all Australians, emphasising his message of compassion for all humanity and care for the planet.

In an interview with the ABC, he says Pope Francis' compassion "embraced all humanity".

"He urged us to remember all we hold in common, and he asked the world to hear the cry of the earth, our common home.

"Francis was truly inspirational in his modest way of life, and at his weekly audiences, he demonstrated his commitment to peace, equality and inclusion."

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the Pope as a great man and shepherd.

"He has returned to the house of the Father. This news saddens us deeply, because a great man and a great pastor have left us. "I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice and his teachings, which never failed even in moments of trial and suffering.

"In the meditations of the Via Crucis, he reminded us of the power of the gift, which makes everything flourish again and is capable of reconciling what in the eyes of man is irreconcilable.

"And he asked the world, once again, for the courage to change direction, to follow a path that 'does not destroy, but cultivates, repairs, protects'.

St Peter's Square. Photo/VaticanMedia/file

"We will walk in this direction, to seek the path of peace, pursue the common good and build a more just and equitable society. His teaching and his legacy will not be lost.

"We greet the Holy Father with sadness, but we know that he is now at peace with the Lord."

Pope Francis impacted the Pacific region during his 12-day Asia-Pacific tour in 2024, visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore.

His visits to PNG and Timor drew large crowds and addressed the unique challenges faced by these countries.

East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta has reportedly expressed profound sorrow over Pope Francis's death, describing it as a significant loss for the global community.

In mourning, East Timor will fly its flags at half-mast for a week and hold a memorial mass to honour the late pontiff's legacy.

Pope Francis meets locals in Papua New Guinea. Photo/VaticanNews

During his visits, he focussed on:

• Interfaith Dialogue - Promoting conversations and understanding between different religions, especially in diverse countries like Indonesia and PNG.

• Social Issues - Meeting with marginalised communities to highlight the importance of helping the poor and seeking social justice.

• Climate Change - Raising awareness about the climate crises, which severely impact Pacific Island nations.

• Peace and Reconciliation - In PNG, he called for peaceful solutions to the Bougainville crisis and an end to tribal violence, emphasising the importance of peace and reconciliation.

• Growth of the Church - The Catholic Church is growing in the Asia-Pacific region, and the Pope's visits have strengthened the faith community, reinforcing its importance.

Watch Sister Daisy Anne Lisania Augustine as she shares her hope that Pope Francis’ visit to PNG will positively impact how women are treated in the country.

With Pope Francis' passing, the process of selecting a new pope, called a conclave, usually takes two to three weeks.

While the Vatican hasn't shared specifics about the ceremony that will follow his death, preparations are underway, as with any pope's passing, it sets in motion a series of carefully orchestrated protocols.

We saw this after his predecessor, Benedict XVI, died in December 2022. It was held well before the conclave to elect his successor began. They involved the certification of death and public display of his body for the faithful to pay their respects, followed by the funeral and burial.

Pope Benedict was the first pope to retire voluntarily in almost 600 years, and for almost a decade, the Vatican Gardens hosted two popes.

Many Catholics had assumed the new pontiff would be a younger man, but Cardinal Bergoglio, of Argentina, was already in his seventies when he became Pope in 2013.

Pope Francis in East Timor. Photo/VaticanNews