Condolence Messages from Monarchies, following the death of Pope Francis. Messages have been translated into English, when necessary. If a message is given in multiple languages, the preference is: English, then one of the official language of that monarchy.
(Monarchies that are Catholic are marked with an Asterisk*.)
Current Monarchies
Bahrain
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa sent a cable of condolences to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican, following the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
His Majesty the King expressed sincere condolences, praising the significant role played by His Holiness in promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogue, advancing the values of human solidarity and tolerance, fostering peaceful coexistence among people of all backgrounds, and supporting just causes while rejecting conflict and war.
Belgium*
King Philippe & Queen Mathilde of Belgium
It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Pope Francis. He was a great man, close to the most humble and concerned about the world's problems.
We share the grief of all Catholics throughout the world and all those who loved and appreciated him. We also express our gratitude for the honor he bestowed upon us by visiting our country.
Philippe and Mathilde
Bhutan
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Brunei
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Cambodia
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Denmark
King Frederik of Denmark
Your Eminence,
It is with profound sorrow that the Queen and I have learned of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
We have fond memories from our meeting with His Holiness in 2018 at the Vatican. We will remember him as a Pope dedicated to promoting peace, justice, and always advocating for people living in vulnerable situations.
Please accept our deepest sympathy and condolences for the Church in this time of loss.
Frederik R.
King of Denmark
Eswatini
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Japan
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Jordan
King Abdullah of Jordan
Deepest condolences to our Christian brothers and sisters around the world. Pope Francis was admired by all as the Pope of the People. He brought people together, leading with kindness, humility, and compassion. His legacy will live on in his good deeds and teachings.
Kuwait
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah mourned on Monday in a cable sent to Cardinal of the Catholic Church Giovanni Battista Re, the demise of Pope Francis at the age of 88 years old.
In his cable, His Highness the Amir expressed his sorrow and praised the Pope's great contributions, including the Pope's courageous stances, which supported peace and coexistence, and became a model of religious tolerance and bringing people together, and forgiveness throughout his career.
Lesotho*
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Liechtenstein*
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Luxembourg*
From Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg
Your Eminence,
The Grand Duchess and I are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. This sadness is all the greater given that we had the honor and immense joy of welcoming him on an official visit to Luxembourg last October.
Pope Francis was a man of great compassion, sharing the pain and suffering of others. Constantly concerned about the problems of the most disadvantaged and refugees, he was devoted to the most vulnerable, while remaining attentive to the hopes of young people.
He was a spiritual guide for us and for the world beyond the Church.
We offer our most sincere condolences to you and, through you, to the entire Catholic community.
Henri
Malaysia
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Monaco*
Prince Albert of Monaco:
It is with infinite sadness and deep sorrow that we learned of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis on this Easter Monday.
Particularly moved, my family, myself and the Principality would like to express our deepest condolences to the Catholic Church and all the faithful with whom we share a great sorrow.
In this time of pain and mourning, we keep in mind and in our hearts the apostolic blessings which the Holy Father lavishly bestowed upon us during his Pontificate and fervently pray for the repose of his soul.
May his unrelenting message of love, brotherhood, peace, faith, justice, mercy, compassion, and respect for our nature continue to nourish our thoughts and commitments to the service of the common good and radiate upon a world he will leave his mark on. With profound gratitude, we pay tribute to the very great servant of mankind who has just left us.
We ask Your Most Reverend Eminence to believe in the part that we take, with all the inhabitants of the Principality, in the mourning of the Church and of the Vatican City.
ALBERT, PRINCE OF MONACO
Morocco
King Mohammed of Morocco
“Your Eminence,
It was with great sorrow that I learned of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis – may Almighty God accept him in His vast Paradise.
On this sad occasion, I send you, Christians around the world, and especially the esteemed Roman Catholic Church, my sincere condolences and deepest sympathy. The world has lost an eminent religious figure, who dedicated his life to serving lofty human ideals and common values rooted in faith, freedom, peace, love and solidarity among different peoples. The late Pope also consistently called for protecting and preserving the environment, which is the home of all mankind.
As we ponder on the life of the deceased, we see that it was full of generosity and sacrifice. The late pontiff dedicated himself to combatting marginalization and poverty and defending human dignity. He condemned, in particular, the circumstances relating to the scourge of illegal migration and called untiringly for the ideals of peace, dialogue, tolerance and coexistence among the revealed religions to be consolidated.
I recall, with great reverence, the historic visit His Holiness the late Pope Francis paid to Morocco in March 2019. That visit strengthened the foundations of the close and special relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Holy See. It was a significant milestone in our common desire to continue enhancing dialogue, understanding and mutual respect between Christians and Muslims. That auspicious visit culminated in the signing by His Holiness Pope Francis and myself of the ‘Jerusalem Declaration’, which calls for guaranteeing the right of the followers of the three monotheistic religions to freely enter the Holy City and perform their religious rituals therein.
I share your grief and pray that Almighty God comfort you, grant you solace and bless the soul of the deceased. To God we belong and to Him shall be our return.
Yours sincerely.”
Netherlands
From King Willem-Alexander & Queen Maxima (Maxima is Catholic):
We are deeply saddened by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. We have warm memories of our personal audience with him, during our state visit to the Holy See in 2017. Pope Francis radiated mercy in everything he did. With his deep-rooted faith in God’s love, he was the embodiment of benevolence and humanity. Choosing a simple, ascetic way of life, he consistently chose the side of the vulnerable and needy. He was deeply convinced that God works through humility and compassion, and in that spirit he actively sought to build bridges with other religious communities all over the world. He was a committed guardian of the listening and loving Church, and as a result he succeeded in winning the hearts of many, both within the Roman Catholic Church and outside it. We will cherish his memory in gratitude.
Norway
King Harald of Norway
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re,
Dean of the College of Cardinals
Your Eminence,
I was deeply saddened to learn that His Holiness Pope Francis has passed away. On behalf of myself and the people of Norway, I send you my deepfelt condolences.
Pope Francis was highly respected and loved for being a passionate and clear voice for the most vulnerable in society.
My sympathy is with all Catholics in Norway and around the world on this sad occasion.
Harald R
Oman
His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has sent a cable of condolences to Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church on the demise of Pope Francis.
In the cable, His Majesty expressed his sincere sympathies to the people of the Vatican and Christians all over the world.
Qatar
Amir Tamin of Qatar
The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent a message of condolence to His Eminence Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, on the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, Pope of the Vatican.
Saudi Arabia
"King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister sent cables of condolences on the death of Pope Francis, head of the Vatican State"
Spain*
King Felipe of Spain
Most Reverend Eminence:
Upon receiving, with deep sadness, the news of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, I wish to send you, in my name, in that of the Government and in that of the Spanish people, the testimony of our most heartfelt regret.
His Holiness Pope Francis has testified throughout his pontificate to the importance of love of neighbor, brotherhood and social friendship for the world of our century. We will always be inspired by his conviction of the need to bring encouragement and comfort to the poorest and most needy and the importance he gave to dialogue and consensus to achieve a more just and supportive world.
In the face of pain for his loss, the Queen and the entire Royal Family join me to convey to the entire Catholic Church, our condolences and our affection, as well as our prayers for their eternal rest.
Receive, Most Reverend Eminence, the testimony of my highest
Consideration and esteem.
Felipe R.
Sweden
King Carl Gustaf of Sweden
The Queen and I remember Pope Francis with great respect and warmth.
By virtue of his natural charisma, deep humility, and unwavering defense of human dignity, the Pope was a significant leader.
Many in our country particularly appreciated Pope Francis' historic visit to Lund almost ten years ago. We remember with warmth the ecumenical service when Lutherans and Catholics gathered under the arches of the cathedral to leave historical conflicts behind in a spirit of reconciliation and understanding.
The Pope also received the Queen at the Vatican several times to jointly shed light on the many injustices that the world's children are forced to endure. On this day, we look back with gratitude on the Pope's commitment to the world's vulnerable.
Our thoughts go out to Catholics around the world who have lost a great leader and role model.
HM The King
Thailand
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Tonga
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United Arab Emirates (UAE)
From Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE:
“I extend my deepest condolences to Catholics around the world on the passing of Pope Francis, who dedicated his life to promoting the principles of peaceful coexistence and understanding. May he rest in peace.”
UK
From King Charles of UK:
"'My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis. Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry.
His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others. His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world. Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.
The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month. We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ.
Charles R."
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