ISTANBUL

China on Tuesday condoled the demise of Pope Francis, who died on Monday at the age of 88 after a prolonged illness.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakin said Beijing "expresses its condolences" following the passing of Francis, the first Latin American pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

“China stands ready to work with the Vatican for continued improvement of China-Vatican relations,” Guo told a televised news conference in Beijing.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also expressed his condolences, saying he “was extremely saddened" on demise of Francis.

“I would like to express my heartfelt respect for the achievements of His Holiness Pope Francis to date,” Ishiba said.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also expressed “deep sorrow" over the passing of Francis. “That’s really sad. I love this Pope. The best Pope in my lifetime as far as I’m concerned,” Marcos said.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said “it is with profound sorrow that I extend, on behalf of the Government and people of Papua New Guinea."

Pope Francis died of a stroke followed by a coma and heart failure, Vatican doctor Andrea Arcangeli said in his death certificate. His funeral will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. (0800GMT) in St. Peter's Basilica.

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.