Message by
Under-Secretary-General, Mr. Miguel Moratinos
the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC),
On the the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis
I am deeply grieved by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
In a world so often fractured by fear and indifference, he stood as a living testament to the power of love, humility, and unwavering faith. He was a genuine voice for peace and reconciliation. He bore the weight of the Church and the hopes of the world with quiet dignity and profound grace. Through his words and deeds, he reminded us that true strength lies in compassion, and that peace begins not in grand declarations, but in the tenderness we show to the most vulnerable and less fortunate.
Pope Francis was more than a religious leader — he was a bridge-builder across faiths and nations, and a humble servant of human fraternity.
His passing is not only a profound loss for the Roman Catholic Church, but for all humanity.
May his spirit rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy continue to live in the hearts of those who adhered to the universal values he embraced.
On behalf of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, I extend deepest sympathy to the Roman Catholic communities around the world.