Canadian, global leaders remember Pope Francis as ‘world’s conscience’

Hours after his death, tributes are pouring in from all over the world, with world leaders remembering him as a voice of “moral clarity, spiritual courage, and boundless compassion.” A tribute to the late pontiff by Liberal Leader Mark Carney kicked off his campaign event in Prince Edward Island. “I would like to speak about a person who recently passed away and had a profound impact on the lives of billions of people. Pope Francis spoke with moral clarity, spiritual strength, and unending compassion. Carney, a practicing Catholic, stated, “He was, in many respects, the world’s conscience, never hesitating to challenge the powerful on behalf of the vulnerable.” “His apology on residential schools was a crucial step in moving the church forward in its journey toward meaningful reconciliation during his papal visit to Canada in 2022.” Gov. Gen. “A beacon of hope and compassion, spreading messages of peace, love, and understanding throughout the world,” Mary Simon said in a statement about the Pope. “Humility, social justice, and environmental stewardship” were, according to Simon, his legacy. Simon, the first Indigenous person to be governor general of Canada, recalled attending his apology to survivors of residential schools in 2022. “It was a demonstration of his dedication to respect, dialogue, and collaboration among people of different faiths and cultures—values he held dear throughout his papacy. She added, “May his teachings continue to inspire us to build a better world for all, and may his soul rest in peace.” In his condolences to Catholics all over the world, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also recalled the Pope’s visit to Canada. Poilievre stated in a statement, “We remember especially his historic “penitential pilgrimage” to Canada, when he sought to start a process of Church Reconciliation with his apology “for the evil committed by so many Christians against the Indigenous Peoples.” “With the Catholic faithful, we join in prayer of thanksgiving for his legacy of humble service and his message of love that will continue to inspire a world in need of hope,” Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the NDP, said that the Pope’s life was an example that will never be forgotten. The world was shown by Pope Francis that faith can be a force for justice. He talked openly about poverty, inequality, and the climate crisis,” he stated.