Seoul: Acting President Han Duck-soo extended a message of "sincere condolences" over the death of Pope Francis on Monday, paying tribute to the love and solidarity he showed toward humanity. The bishop of Rome died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican announced.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Han sent a message of condolences to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, expressing that the South Korean government and its people share the sorrow with Catholics around the world. "The pope left a message of love and solidarity to humanity through his teaching that we are all brothers and sisters, and dedicated his whole life to the poor and marginalized by living a life of peace and reconciliation," Han said in the message.
South Korean politicians joined in mourning the pope's death, vowing to carry forward his lifelong message of compassion for the poor and underprivileged. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik expressed his deep sadness over the passing of Pope Francis, who he described as a friend of the poor and a comforter of the marginalized. Woo appreciated the pope's special efforts for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
In a written statement, Hwang Jung-a, a spokesperson for the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), shared messages of sorrow over the pontiff's death, remembering his lifestyle that was "true to his words," and consistently emphasized comfort for the weak and marginalized. Former DP leader Lee Jae-myung also expressed his sorrow over the sudden news. "I express my deepest condolences. I wish him eternal peace with God," Lee stated on his Facebook page. He highlighted the pontiff's message that politics is "serving the people," pledging to act on the pope's message to work for the socially weak.