United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has joined the world in mourning the death of Pope Francis.
Guterres described him as a messenger of hope, humility and humanity.
“Pope Francis was a transcendent voice for peace, human dignity and social justice. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, service and compassion for all – especially those left on the margins of life or trapped by the horrors of conflict,” he said.
Furthermore, he “was a man of faith for all faiths – working with people of all beliefs and backgrounds to light a path forward.”
The Secretary-General said the UN was greatly inspired by the Pope’s commitment to the goals and ideals of the global organisation, a message that he conveyed in their various meetings.
The Secretary-General recalled that the Pope spoke of the organisation’s ideal of a “united human family” during his historic visit to UN headquarters in New York in 2015.
“Pope Francis also understood that protecting our common home is, at heart, a deeply moral mission and responsibility that belongs to every person,” said Guterres, noting that his second Encyclical – Laudato Si – was a major contribution to the global mobilisation that resulted in the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change.
“Pope Francis once said: “The future of humankind isn’t exclusively in the hands of politicians, of great leaders, of big companies…(it) is, most of all, in the hands of those people who recognise the other as a ‘you’ and themselves as part of an ‘us,’” he added.
The Secretary-General concluded by saying that “our divided and discordant world will be a much better place if we follow his example of unity and mutual understanding in our own actions.”
“I offer my deepest condolences to Catholics and all those around the world inspired by the extraordinary life and example of Pope Francis.”
During his September 2015 visit to the UN, Pope Francis delivered a wide-ranging address to leaders gathered in the General Assembly Hall to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
He urged global action to protect the environment and end the suffering of “vast ranks of the excluded.” He also suggested that the UN could be improved and can “be the pledge of a secure and happy future for future generations”.
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