LONDON — Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy led tributes to Pope Francis from political leaders around the world Monday, praising him as “a great man and a great pastor.” Several paid homage to the pope’s commitment to speaking out on behalf of the poor, but the breadth of the reactions spoke to his global influence.

“I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice and his teachings, which never failed even in moments of trial and suffering,” said Meloni, who visited Francis while he was hospitalized in February.

She said in a post on social media that the pope had called the world to “seek the path of peace, pursue the common good and build a more just and equitable society. His teaching and his legacy will not be lost.”

Italy’s government said it would fly flags at half-staff as a gesture of mourning.

President Donald Trump issued a brief message of condolence on social media saying: “Rest in Peace Pope Francis. May God Bless him and all who loved him.”

The White House had earlier issued a similar message as well as a picture of Trump and first lady Melania Trump meeting Francis, and a separate picture of Vice President JD Vance with the pope. The Trumps met Francis in 2017, in Trump’s first presidency. Vance had an audience with Francis on Sunday.

President Vladimir Putin of Russia praised Francis, not just as a defender of “the high values of humanism and justice,” but also as someone who had fostered dialogue with the Russian Orthodox Church. Putin said he had spoken to Francis on several occasions, adding that: “I will always cherish the fondest memories of him.”

Francis was at times criticized for an ambiguous stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Last year, he called on Ukraine to have the “courage” to negotiate peace, using language that raised questions about whether he was suggesting Ukraine should surrender territory to end the war.

President Emmanuel Macron of France said Francis had brought joy and hope to the world’s poorest. The lights of the Eiffel Tower were turned off Monday night in honor of the death and a vigil was held Monday evening at Notre Dame Cathedral.

“From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest,” Macron said in a message on social media. Francis, the first pope from Latin America, was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and was later archbishop there. Macron said his thoughts were with Catholics around the world who were grieving.

In Brazil, the world’s largest Catholic country, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declared seven days of mourning to mark the pope’s death and said that “humanity is losing a voice of respect and acceptance of others.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia also made reference to the pope’s birthplace, pointing out that he was the first Catholic leader from the Southern Hemisphere. As such, Albanese said, Francis was “close to the people of Australia.”

“For Australian Catholics, he was a devoted champion and loving father,” Albanese said in a statement.

President Andrzej Duda of Poland, a country where the Catholic Church is deeply rooted in society, noted how Francis had been guided by humility and simplicity throughout his pastoral ministry. “He was a great apostle of mercy, in which he saw an answer to the challenges of the modern world,” Duda said in a statement on social media.

Francis’ papacy has seen a growth of the church in parts of Africa, part of a broader expansion of Christianity on the continent in recent decades. President William Ruto of Kenya said Francis had inspired millions around the world.

“He exemplified servant leadership through his humility, his unwavering commitment to inclusivity and justice, and his deep compassion for the poor and the vulnerable,” Ruto said on social media. Francis visited Kenya in 2015.

President Felix Tshisekedi of Congo, the African country with the highest number of Catholics, praised Francis’ spiritual leadership and referred to a plea made by the pope during a visit to the country in 2023.

During that trip, Francis said, “Hands off the Democratic Republic of the Congo, hands off Africa,” and Tshisekedi, in a post on social media, quoted those words, which have been taken as a rallying cry for justice and sovereignty for a country and a continent whose resources have been plundered.

For his part, President Isaac Herzog of Israel offered condolences to Christian communities in Israel and called Francis a man of deep faith.

“He rightly saw great importance in fostering strong ties with the Jewish world and in advancing interfaith dialogue,” Herzog said on social media.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the ruler of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, said he was deeply saddened by news of the pope’s death, while Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar mosque in Cairo, described Francis as a symbol of humanity who had promoted understanding between religions and cultures and also advocated on behalf of the “oppressed, refugees and the marginalized.” The mosque is the most influential center of Sunni Muslim learning.