Middle East leaders paid heartfelt tribute following the death of Pope Francis on Monday, praising his lifelong dedication to peace, compassion, and interfaith unity. The first Latin American pope, who had led the Roman Catholic Church since 2013, passed away after a battle with pneumonia.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed highlighted Pope Francis’s unwavering commitment to coexistence and mutual understanding.

I extend my deepest condolences to Catholics around the world on the passing of Pope Francis, who dedicated his life to promoting the principles of peaceful coexistence and understanding. May he rest in peace.

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) April 21, 2025

“I extend my deepest condolences to Catholics around the world on the passing of Pope Francis, who dedicated his life to promoting the principles of peaceful coexistence and understanding. May he rest in peace,” Sheikh Mohamed said in a statement on X.

UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also paid tribute, calling Pope Francis a transformative figure. “His legacy of humility and interfaith unity will continue to inspire many communities around the world,” he said.

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis @Pontifex , a great leader whose compassion and commitment to peace touched countless lives. His legacy of humility and interfaith unity will continue to inspire many communities around the world . pic.twitter.com/5LwoJq2Hxr

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) April 21, 2025

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi offered his condolences, describing the late pontiff as a beacon of hope. “Pope Francis was a voice of peace, love, and compassion,” said El-Sisi.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II remembered Pope Francis as a unifying figure whose compassion and moral leadership earned him deep respect and admiration worldwide.

Deepest condolences to our Christian brothers and sisters around the world. Pope Francis was admired by all as the Pope of the People. He brought people together, leading with kindness, humility, and compassion. His legacy will live on in his good deeds and teachings pic.twitter.com/6Qlaj6QTCH

— عبدالله بن الحسين (@KingAbdullahII) April 21, 2025

On X, the king said: “Deepest condolences to our Christian brothers and sisters around the world. Pope Francis was admired by all as the Pope of the People. He brought people together, leading with kindness, humility, and compassion. His legacy will live on in his good deeds and teachings.”

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun mourned the loss of a staunch ally to his nation.“We will never forget his repeated calls to protect Lebanon and preserve its identity and diversity,” Aoun said.

He called Francis’s death “a loss for all humanity, for he was a powerful voice for justice and peace,” and he called for “dialogue between religions and cultures.”

Pope Francis made history in 2019 as the first pontiff to lead a mass in the Middle East during his landmark visit to the UAE. He built unprecedented ties with the Muslim world, travelling to the Arabian Peninsula and Iraq in a determined effort to advance interfaith dialogue.

His death comes just a day after he addressed thousands of worshippers with a “Happy Easter” message in St. Peter’s Square.

The pope had recently been discharged from the hospital following five weeks of treatment for an infection. His passing now sets in motion the centuries-old process of electing a new pope.