World reactions to Pope's death
Read reactions from world leaders and politicians on the death of Pope John Paul II below. You can also read the statement from the Democratic National Committee here.
NPI Official Statement on the Death of Pope John Paul II
The Northwest Progressive Institute is sad to learn that Pope John Paul II has died. The Holy Father was truly an inspiration not only to Catholics, but also to all the world’s people.
He courageously tried to build bridges to other faiths, reaching out to Jews, Muslims, and many other faiths. He traveled a greater distance than any other pope, not to mention all the previous popes combined.
He was a beacon for freedom, a source of hope for his native Poland, and a voice for liberty, urging oppressed people everywhere not to be intimidated by dictatorships and autocratic rule.
He condemned war and violence and was adamant in insisting that the world’s nations work together for peace.
His legacy will long be remembered and celebrated.
We add our thoughts and prayers to the thoughts and prayers of billions of other peoples’ around the globe in honoring this wonderful man.
Reactions from World Leaders
“The queen has conveyed to the Holy See her deep sorrow on receiving the news of the death of his holiness Pope John Paul II…Her majesty remembers the untiring efforts of Pope John Paul II in promoting peace and goodwill throughout the world.” - Statement from Buckingham Palace, from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
" It is with the deepest sorrow that I have learnt of the death of his Holiness Pope John Paul II…His death is a great loss. He will be long remembered for his tireless efforts to promote world peace and for his great warmth of personality," he said." - Prince Charles, in a message issued through his residence at Clarence House
"Throughout a hard and often difficult life, he stood for social justice and on the side of the oppressed, whether as a young man facing the Nazi occupation in Poland or later in challenging the communist regime. He never wavered, never flinched, in the struggle for what he thought was good and right." – British Prime Minister Tony Blair
“The Catholic Church has lost its shepherd; the world has lost a champion of human freedom, and a good and faithful servant of God has been called home.” - George W. Bush
"In speaking powerfully and eloquently for mercy and reconciliation to people divided by old hatreds and persecuted by abuse of power, the Holy Father was a beacon of light not just for Catholics, but for all people." - Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
"Pope John Paul II was a man of God, and he was also a man of the people. He was a source of hope to so many, and he honored that devotion by traveling the world to reach out to people of all ages, nationalities, and faiths." - House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-California
"Drawing upon his enduring moral strength and conviction, Pope John Paul II advanced the cause of solidarity in his native Poland and helped to topple communism around the world. We will never forget the example he set by forgiving the man who tried to take his life, and by praying at the Western Wall to ask Jews for their forgiveness. He traveled to places forgotten by all but God to pray for the sick and the poor, and millions turned out to hear his voice, even when strained. In death, as in life, his incredible spirit provides every Catholic with strength and his memory provides us with wisdom." - Sen. John Kerry, D-Massachusetts
"In his 26 years as the head of the Roman Catholic church, this noble son of Poland achieved an extraordinary impact, not only as a source of spiritual guidance, but as a true apostle of peace. The Pope's global vision included Canada, and he repeatedly expressed his interest in our country. Our grief today is the grief of the world.” - Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin
"An enlightened and inspired priest, he devoted himself to responding to the search for sense and the thirst for justice that is expressed today on all continents…History will retain the imprint and the memory of this exceptional sovereign pontiff, whose charisma, conviction and compassion carried the evangelical message with unprecedented resonance on the international stage.” – Jacques Chirac, Presdient of France
"Pope John Paul II wrote history. Through his work, and through his impressive personality he changed our world. [The pope should be praised for his work on] peace, human rights, solidarity and social justice." – German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder
"We are all grateful for the tireless work and suffering that he bore incessantly against every form of totalitarianism, violence, oppression and moral degradation in the name of the values of the Catholic Church that are also the supreme values of human dignity and solidarity." - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi
"He ... (was) extremely concerned about the world we lived in, and like me, he also felt that in war, all are losers.” - Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General
"Our people receive the news of his death with a deep sense of grief and loss. He was a holy champion of the Filipino family and of profound Christian values that make everyone of us contemplate everyday, what is just, moral and sacred in life.” - Philippine President Gloria Arroyo
"(Without him) there would be no end of communism or at least much later and the end would have been bloody," - Lech Walesa, former leader of Poland's Solidarity movement
"He promoted inter-faith understanding and dialogue, with a willingness to address the past, and a profound determination to build a future of understanding and brotherhood between all faiths. [His passing is] a great loss...for humanity as a whole." - Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom
"We will miss him as a distinguished religious figure, who devoted his life to defending the values of peace, freedom and equality. He defended the rights of Palestinians, their freedom and independence." - Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas
"We know that Pope John Paul II used his personal stature to fight against communist dictatorships, for a bloodless and peaceful transition. For this all of central and eastern Europe, including all freedom loving citizens of Hungary, must pay their respects to the memory of the holy father.” - Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany
"He was not only a great moral and religious figure, but he was also a very significant political figure, in the best sense of that term…The contribution that he made to the freeing of his native Poland, and what was set in train ultimately leading to the collapse of Soviet communism is one of the more remarkable features of his life. The world has lost one of the dominant personal influences of my generation and indeed of many years. The pope was an inspirational leader, not only to one billion Catholics around the world, but he was an exemplar of the Christian life to all Christians.” – Australian Prime Minister John Howard
"This is a sad day, we are very sad to lose him...We will never forget his noble stance in support of the oppressed people, including the Palestinians.” - Hesham Youssef, a spokesman for the secretary general of the Arab League
"The focus and mission of his pontificate were rooted in his vision of the dignity of the human person and its implications for the proper character of social relations, within and between nations." - Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern
“[Pope John Paul II] was the number one humanist on this planet. The pope was able to do a lot not only for Catholics, but for the whole world.” - former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev
Read more reactions to the Pope's death here.
NPI Official Statement on the Death of Pope John Paul II
The Northwest Progressive Institute is sad to learn that Pope John Paul II has died. The Holy Father was truly an inspiration not only to Catholics, but also to all the world’s people.
He courageously tried to build bridges to other faiths, reaching out to Jews, Muslims, and many other faiths. He traveled a greater distance than any other pope, not to mention all the previous popes combined.
He was a beacon for freedom, a source of hope for his native Poland, and a voice for liberty, urging oppressed people everywhere not to be intimidated by dictatorships and autocratic rule.
He condemned war and violence and was adamant in insisting that the world’s nations work together for peace.
His legacy will long be remembered and celebrated.
We add our thoughts and prayers to the thoughts and prayers of billions of other peoples’ around the globe in honoring this wonderful man.
Reactions from World Leaders
“The queen has conveyed to the Holy See her deep sorrow on receiving the news of the death of his holiness Pope John Paul II…Her majesty remembers the untiring efforts of Pope John Paul II in promoting peace and goodwill throughout the world.” - Statement from Buckingham Palace, from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
" It is with the deepest sorrow that I have learnt of the death of his Holiness Pope John Paul II…His death is a great loss. He will be long remembered for his tireless efforts to promote world peace and for his great warmth of personality," he said." - Prince Charles, in a message issued through his residence at Clarence House
"Throughout a hard and often difficult life, he stood for social justice and on the side of the oppressed, whether as a young man facing the Nazi occupation in Poland or later in challenging the communist regime. He never wavered, never flinched, in the struggle for what he thought was good and right." – British Prime Minister Tony Blair
“The Catholic Church has lost its shepherd; the world has lost a champion of human freedom, and a good and faithful servant of God has been called home.” - George W. Bush
"In speaking powerfully and eloquently for mercy and reconciliation to people divided by old hatreds and persecuted by abuse of power, the Holy Father was a beacon of light not just for Catholics, but for all people." - Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
"Pope John Paul II was a man of God, and he was also a man of the people. He was a source of hope to so many, and he honored that devotion by traveling the world to reach out to people of all ages, nationalities, and faiths." - House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-California
"Drawing upon his enduring moral strength and conviction, Pope John Paul II advanced the cause of solidarity in his native Poland and helped to topple communism around the world. We will never forget the example he set by forgiving the man who tried to take his life, and by praying at the Western Wall to ask Jews for their forgiveness. He traveled to places forgotten by all but God to pray for the sick and the poor, and millions turned out to hear his voice, even when strained. In death, as in life, his incredible spirit provides every Catholic with strength and his memory provides us with wisdom." - Sen. John Kerry, D-Massachusetts
"In his 26 years as the head of the Roman Catholic church, this noble son of Poland achieved an extraordinary impact, not only as a source of spiritual guidance, but as a true apostle of peace. The Pope's global vision included Canada, and he repeatedly expressed his interest in our country. Our grief today is the grief of the world.” - Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin
"An enlightened and inspired priest, he devoted himself to responding to the search for sense and the thirst for justice that is expressed today on all continents…History will retain the imprint and the memory of this exceptional sovereign pontiff, whose charisma, conviction and compassion carried the evangelical message with unprecedented resonance on the international stage.” – Jacques Chirac, Presdient of France
"Pope John Paul II wrote history. Through his work, and through his impressive personality he changed our world. [The pope should be praised for his work on] peace, human rights, solidarity and social justice." – German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder
"We are all grateful for the tireless work and suffering that he bore incessantly against every form of totalitarianism, violence, oppression and moral degradation in the name of the values of the Catholic Church that are also the supreme values of human dignity and solidarity." - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi
"He ... (was) extremely concerned about the world we lived in, and like me, he also felt that in war, all are losers.” - Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General
"Our people receive the news of his death with a deep sense of grief and loss. He was a holy champion of the Filipino family and of profound Christian values that make everyone of us contemplate everyday, what is just, moral and sacred in life.” - Philippine President Gloria Arroyo
"(Without him) there would be no end of communism or at least much later and the end would have been bloody," - Lech Walesa, former leader of Poland's Solidarity movement
"He promoted inter-faith understanding and dialogue, with a willingness to address the past, and a profound determination to build a future of understanding and brotherhood between all faiths. [His passing is] a great loss...for humanity as a whole." - Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom
"We will miss him as a distinguished religious figure, who devoted his life to defending the values of peace, freedom and equality. He defended the rights of Palestinians, their freedom and independence." - Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas
"We know that Pope John Paul II used his personal stature to fight against communist dictatorships, for a bloodless and peaceful transition. For this all of central and eastern Europe, including all freedom loving citizens of Hungary, must pay their respects to the memory of the holy father.” - Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany
"He was not only a great moral and religious figure, but he was also a very significant political figure, in the best sense of that term…The contribution that he made to the freeing of his native Poland, and what was set in train ultimately leading to the collapse of Soviet communism is one of the more remarkable features of his life. The world has lost one of the dominant personal influences of my generation and indeed of many years. The pope was an inspirational leader, not only to one billion Catholics around the world, but he was an exemplar of the Christian life to all Christians.” – Australian Prime Minister John Howard
"This is a sad day, we are very sad to lose him...We will never forget his noble stance in support of the oppressed people, including the Palestinians.” - Hesham Youssef, a spokesman for the secretary general of the Arab League
"The focus and mission of his pontificate were rooted in his vision of the dignity of the human person and its implications for the proper character of social relations, within and between nations." - Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern
“[Pope John Paul II] was the number one humanist on this planet. The pope was able to do a lot not only for Catholics, but for the whole world.” - former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev
Read more reactions to the Pope's death here.
