Vucic: With Pope Francis's death, world has lost spiritual leader who was spreading love, peace

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday he had received with great sadness the news of the passing of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis.

"The world has lost an exceptional spiritual leader who was spreading love, peace and solidarity through his apostolic activity," Vucic wrote in a post on X.

He noted that Pope Francis's work on strengthening inter-religious dialogue and his commitment to humanism had left an indelible mark in history.

"Pope Francis was the harbinger of hope and reconciliation, always in the service of those most in danger," Vucic added, extending his condolences to the Roman Catholic Church and its faithful.

Earlier, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had died at the age of 88 this morning.