Luanda - The death of Pope Francis is a severe blow to the world and an immense loss for Catholic Christians, Angolan President João Lourenço said on Monday in Luanda.

In a message of condolence sent to the Chamberlain Kevin Farrell, President João Lourenço stated that Christians saw in Jorge Mario Bergoglio a hope for the construction of a more just and balanced world, as he was committed to peace, social justice and the most disadvantaged.

The Angolan President stated that the Pope was a shrewd interpreter of the concerns of the modern world and, in view of this, “we were privileged to see him advance in courageous positions that changed inappropriate approaches of our time and addressed more fully issues regarding diversity within the Catholic Church”.

 The Head of State, on behalf of the Angolan Executive and his own, presented to the Vatican State and to the faithful of the Catholic Church throughout the world, his deepest condolences for the physical passing of “this distinguished universal personality”.

He also expressed feelings of solidarity with the Catholic Church and the world, in this time of pain and mourning.

Pope Francis died at the age of 88, after 12 years of a pontificate marked by the fight against sexual abuse, wars and a pandemic. Born in Buenos Aires on 17 December 1936, he was the first Jesuit to reach the leadership of the Catholic Church. VIC/TED/DOJ