First minister leads Wales' tributes after Pope dies

First Minister Eluned Morgan has paid tribute to Pope Francis following his death at the age of 88.

He died on Monday, the Vatican announced, a day after he appeared in St Peter's Square to greet thousands of worshippers.

Morgan said it was with "great sadness that I have learned of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis".

"As first minister of Wales, and as a Christian, I offer my deepest condolences to the Catholic community in Wales and around the world," she said.

"Pope Francis led with unwavering humility, courage and profound compassion.

"Throughout his papacy, he was a tireless advocate for the poor, the marginalised and the displaced.

"He reminded us all that the fight against poverty, climate change and injustice is not just a political or social task, but a moral calling.

"His message was clear: every person, regardless of background, race, or sexuality, deserves dignity, respect and love.

"His famous call to 'not judge, but walk with' exemplified a faith rooted in love, empathy and understanding for all people, focusing on compassion rather than condemnation."

Cardinal Bergoglio of Argentina was in his 70s when he became Pope Francis in 2013.

Last month, he was discharged from hospital after five weeks of treatment for an infection that led to double pneumonia.

Morgan added: "In his final months, he spoke with moral clarity, condemning what he referred to as the 'genocide' in Gaza, urging the world to recognise the humanity of all people and to choose peace over destruction.

"In a world that often feels divided, Pope Francis built bridges of unity and his legacy will endure in the lives he touched and the values he championed - values that continue to inspire us here in Wales.

"On behalf of the Welsh government, I offer our deepest sympathies to all those mourning his loss. May he rest in peace, and may his example continue to guide and inspire us all."

Mark O'Toole, who was named archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia by Pope Francis in 2022, described him an "exceptional shepherd of the Church".

"By the manner of his life, Pope Francis has always challenged me to be a better, more faithful disciple of Jesus Christ," he said.

"We now entrust him into the merciful hands of the Lord whom he has served so faithfully and generously.

"We accompany him with our prayers on this final journey."

Anglican Archbishop of Wales Andy John said the "world has lost a leader whose love, compassion and care for the poor and marginalised were worthy of the saint from whom he took his name".

"In the Church in Wales, we join in prayer with our brothers and sisters in the Roman Catholic Church as they mourn the loss of the Holy Father, and we give thanks with them for a life of faith which has been an inspiration to countless millions," he said.

"In Wales, we shall have a lasting reminder of his generosity with the gift of a piece of the True Cross, which is incorporated in the ceremonial Cross of Wales which led the Coronation procession and which is now shared between the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches in Wales."

Welsh actor Jonathan Pryce said: "It was an absolute privilege to portray him in the film The Two Popes", alongside another Welsh actor Sir Anthony Hopkins.

"He was a man of integrity who embraced diversity and equality, spoke for the poor, the disenfranchised, refugees and immigrants.

"And I would hope that world leaders will listen to his teachings because, well, sadly, they haven't shown any sign of doing so to date."

40-year-old Bryn Jones, from Talwrn, Anglesey, was a postgraduate student studying in the Vatican when Pope Francis was elected in 2013.

He said: "There was a lot of energy when he became Pope, you could feel it, feel his energy throughout the Vatican.

"He gave more emphasis on love and the love to fellow-man than in the past and you could tell that in his comments he made about lesbian and gay people.

"But what struck you about Francis' papacy was that he gave so much emphasis on serving the people"

Broadcaster Guto Harri, a former advisor to Boris Johnson, said Pope Francis was a "very different Pope" who showed what it meant to be "humble, caring and tolerant of others".

"He was from a very different background than the majority, coming from South America, and he used that perspective to ground the church, if you will, in the third world, in Africa and Latin America.

"But he has shown more than anything that there was an alternative to theology and orthodox religion, if you will, because the language he spoke was to lead by example."

Darren Millar, leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, met Pope Francis last year.

"He was in good spirits and spoke passionately about peace, reconciliation and justice," Mr Millar said.

"He was a truly remarkable man who loved Jesus and devoted his life to service of the Church.

"I pray that God will give the College of Cardinals all the wisdom they need as they prepare to elect a successor."

Plaid Cymru's Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts said the Pope's "voice for the poor and the oppressed across the world will be greatly missed".