First Minister John Swinney: 'We're all profoundly grateful for Pope Francis' life'

First Minister John Swinney has led Scottish tributes to the late Pope Francis who died on Monday morning at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.

On Monday, Swinney said the Pope’s death will cause heartbreak amongst the Catholic community in Scotland and to people around the world who valued his “peacefulness, focus on reconciliation, and spiritual leadership”.

“He was a man who was always on the side of the poor, he was always on the side of those who faced injustice and he used his position of leadership of the Catholic community around the world to work for a better world,” Swinney said.

“We’re all profoundly grateful for his life.” .

Pope Francis, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1936, ushered in a new era of leadership in the Roman Catholic Church when he was elected Pope in 2013.

His death on Monday comes after the Pope’s five-week hospital stay in Rome’s Gemelli hospital, following a 38 day battle with pneumonia in March.

“At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father,” Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced on Monday.

The news has triggered a massive outpouring of tributes and reactions from politicians, religious leaders, and communities across the globe.

The First Minister acknowledged the “significant sense of loss” that will be felt within the Catholic community in Scotland and beyond at the loss of Pope Francis.

“He argued always for bringing people together. That leadership has been of enormous significance in the world today,” Swinney said.

“He has lived out the embodiment of supporting the poor, of tackling injustice, and of acting to support the weak in our society.”

He added: “His papacy has been one of profound change, but also one of profound leadership to the Catholic community and to the world. His passing will be mourned by people across the globe.”

The First Minister praised Francis as a “trailblazer” as the first Pope in history from the southern hemisphere, and said his “belief in the goodness of people was as unshakeable as his devotion to the Church”.

“His Holiness was outspoken on many of the pressing issues of our time such as climate change, the death penalty and the rise of artificial intelligence. He would regularly engage with world leaders and hold them to account for their words and actions,” Swinney reflected.

The First Minister added that Pope Francis had also “spoken with power” on the trauma that’s been experienced by the people of Ukraine and the people of Gaza.

“His faithfulness in keeping in contact with the people of Gaza and the church in Gaza has been such an import contribution and illustration of the living out of his faithful leadership,” Swinney said.

“Pope Francis recognised and championed the virtue of compassion and advocated for poor and marginalised communities across the world. He brought comfort, assurance and hope to many.”