Kuala Lumpur: Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church who passed away today, 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, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar posted on Facebook today that Pope Francis' commitment to interfaith understanding, environmental stewardship and the dignity of the marginalised resonated far beyond the Catholic Church.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Pope Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America, died on Monday aged 88. He had long battled various health issues, including 'asthma-like respiratory crises' associated with thrombocytopenia.

Anwar highlighted Pope Francis as a steadfast advocate for peace, whose efforts to build bridges across faiths and cultures earned the respect of many, including in the Muslim world. He noted the Pope's moral clarity on the immense suffering in Gaza, emphasizing that the world must show compassion to all victims of violence, irrespective of their location.

Anwar further expressed that the Pope championed the dignity of migrants and refugees, urging the international community to respond to their plight with humanity and conscience. Reflecting on the Pope's life of service and quiet strength, Anwar quoted Shakespeare, stating: 'His life was gentle, and the elements so mix'd in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, 'This was a man'.'

On a personal note, Anwar shared the honor he felt in visiting Pope Francis during his early days at the Vatican. He conveyed his deep sorrow over the Pope's passing and extended condolences on behalf of the Malaysian government and its people to the Holy See, Catholics worldwide, and particularly the Catholic community in Malaysia, hoping that the Pope's legacy would endure.