Celebrities, members of the royal family, world leaders, and more reacted to the news of Pope Francis’ death on Easter Monday. He was 88.

Stars like Whoopi Goldberg took to social media to praise the pontiff, writing on X that "He was the closest in a long time that seemed to remember that Christ’s love enveloped believer and non-believer.”

“He felt more like Pope John the 23rd who made belief real. Sail on Pope Frances with your love of humanity & Laughter,” she added on Instagram, along with a photo of her visiting with the pope.

Whoopi Goldberg, who met the Pope in 2023 and 2024, paid tribute to the pontiff after news of his death.

“He was the closest in a long time that seemed to remember that Christ’s love enveloped believer and non-believer. He felt more like Pope John the 23rd who made belief real."… pic.twitter.com/NUuzDiT5Cb

— Variety (@Variety) April 21, 2025

Actor Antonio Banderas shared a photo of himself with the pontiff and wrote, “Pope Francisco has died — a man who, at the head of the Catholic Church, showed kindness, love, and mercy to the neediest people.”

Late-night TV host Jimmy Fallon wrote on X, “It was an honor meeting Pope Francis last summer. I’m glad I made you laugh. Thank you for your encouraging words. Rest in peace.”

Actress Eva Longoria wrote, “Rest in Peace, Your Holiness Pope Francis. Thank you for being an ally to many of us and speaking up for the marginalized. Your compassion, kindness and humility will always be remembered.”

“Rest in Peace, Your Holiness Pope Francis. Thank you for being an ally to many of us and speaking up for the marginalized. Your compassion, kindness and humility will always be remembered,” Eva Longoria wrote on Instagram https://t.co/3UYu1gJDBc pic.twitter.com/5ngHNSc3Ev

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) April 21, 2025

Actor Russell Crowe shared a picture from Rome and wrote on social media, “A beautiful day in Rome, but a sad day for the faithful. RIP Francis.”

Elected to the papacy in 2013, the Argentinian pope, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away following an extended illness.

READ MORE: BREAKING: Pope Francis Dead at 88

Pope Francis Cause of Death Announced: Cerebral Stroke, Heart Attack

In a statement from King Charles and the royal family, Charles wrote about meeting privately with the pope in April after the pontiff fell ill.

“My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis,” the statement read. “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,” it added. “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 statement continued. “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.”

President Donald Trump wrote on social media, “Rest in peace Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him!”

Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!

From Donald Trump Truth Social 04/21/25 07:59 AM

— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) April 21, 2025

"He was a good man, worked hard. He loved the world, and it's an honor to do that," Trump added during his appearance at the Easter Egg Roll event at the White House.

Vice President JD Vance, who met with the pontiff on Sunday while he was in Rome, wrote, “I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him."

“I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill,” he added. “But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul.”

French President Emmanuel Macron added, "Throughout his pontificate Pope Francis had always sided with the most vulnerable and the most fragile, and he did this with a lot of humility. In this time of war and brutality, he had a sense for the other, for the most fragile."