ISTANBUL

Several Asian nations have offered condolences after Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88 after a prolonged illness, the Vatican announced on Monday.

Pakistan's President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered condolences to the Vatican and the entire Catholic community on Francis' death.

The two paid tributes to his services, saying he would be remembered for his efforts in promoting peace, social justice, inter-faith dialogue, and the well-being of the most vulnerable communities worldwide.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is "deeply pained" by the death of the pope.

"In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the World,” Modi wrote on X.

“From a young age, he devoted himself towards realising the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope,” he added.

India declared a three-day state of mourning on Monday evening in honor of Pope Francis's passing.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also expressed “deep sorrow," and said on X: “His unwavering commitment to peace, compassion and humanity has left an indelible mark on the world. May his legacy of compassion, justice and interfaith harmony continue to inspire generations to come.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also offered his condolences, saying: “Today, the prayers of more than a billion people -- from all nations and every walk of life -- go with Pope Francis to his rest."

“Pope Francis’ love for humanity was powerful and profound. The memory and example of his compassion will long endure,” Albanese said on X.

'Man of humility'

New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, for his part, said on X: “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.”

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his sorrow for the passing of Pope Francis.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. He will be remembered not only as the first pope from the Global South, but as a moral voice of compassion, humility and justice in a turbulent world,” Anwar wrote on X.

Taiwan’s leader Lai Ching-te said on X: “My sincerest condolences on behalf of the people of Taiwan to the Catholic community and everyone mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.”

South Korea’s Acting President Han Duck-soo expressed his condolences, according to Yonhap News.

"The pope left a message of love and solidarity to humanity through his teaching that we are all brothers and sisters, and dedicated his whole life to the poor and marginalized by living a life of peace and reconciliation," Han was quoted by the media outlet as saying.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said on X: “With the deepest sorrow, I learned the news of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. The world has lost a remarkable figure whose unwavering commitment to peace, humanity, and fraternity inspired many.”

Francis, the first Latin American pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, suffered a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis" associated with thrombocytopenia, according to a Vatican statement.

Francis was born in Buenos Aires on Dec. 17, 1936, to Italian immigrant parents.

He studied in Argentina and later in Germany before being ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1969.

Over a decade into his papacy, Pope Francis remained a figure of admiration and controversy.

He sought to reform the Vatican’s bureaucracy, tackle corruption, and address some of the Church’s most pressing challenges.

While he had been hailed for his humility and commitment to social justice, his leadership had also drawn sharp resistance from conservatives within the Church and beyond.

*Aamir Latif in Karachi and Ahmad Adil in New Delhi contributed to this story.