The passing of Pope Francis has prompted an outpouring of heartfelt tributes from faith leaders across Australia, each reflecting on his profound legacy of compassion, humility, and interfaith dialogue.
Imam Kauser, National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Australia, said via medianet.com that his community was “very saddened” by the news.
“He dedicated his life to helping the poor and those who were suffering from war, injustice, and persecution,” Imam Kauser noted.
“He was a kind and humble man who worked to bring people of different faiths together.”
The commitment to unity was echoed by Archbishop Geoffrey Smith, Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, who through his press release joined “billions of Christians around the world in thanking God for the life and ministry of Pope Francis.”
Reflecting on the pope’s legacy, he remarked, “Francis ministered as pope with great humility, humanity and a real focus on trying to follow the way of Jesus. He was a great advocate for peace during these unsettling times.”
Archbishop Smith recalled a personal encounter with the pope in March 2024, during a private audience with the Primates of the Anglican Communion.
“He encouraged us in our ministry as bishops and shared from his own experiences some of the joys and challenges. Following his address, we each had the opportunity to greet him – an experience I found to be warm and full of good humour.”
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) also expressed its condolences on their website, describing Pope Francis as “a humble and humane spiritual leader with a forthright manner and a deeply compassionate heart.”
The Council praised his strong stance against antisemitism, his visits to Israel, and his understanding of the historical trauma of the Holocaust. “While we may not always have agreed with all of his views, we always appreciated his unwavering support of our people.”
The Hindu Council of Australia also offered a message of deep respect in a press release, calling him “a towering spiritual leader who exemplified compassion, humility, and a life dedicated to the service of humanity.”
As preparations begin in Rome to elect the next pope, Archbishop Smith offered a prayer that the conclave “be guided by the Spirit of God for the benefit of the mission of the church.”
He also reflected on the symbolic timing of the pope’s passing, noting, “For Pope Francis’ life to end after celebrating Easter is a gift to him and helps focus our ongoing Easter celebrations on Jesus’ resurrection, which his followers will share.”
Across religious traditions, there is a shared sense of loss – and gratitude – for a man who, in his time as pope, reached across divides with sincerity and courage.
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