Lula decrees seven-day mourning for Pope Francis’ death
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Monday (Apr. 21) decreed a seven-day period of official mourning in honor of Pope Francis. In a statement, the president highlighted the legacy of Argentine pontiff Jorge Mario Bergoglio and deeply regretted the loss of a “voice of respect and warmth for others.”
The president stressed that Pope Francis propagated values such as love, tolerance, and solidarity.
“As taught in the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, the pope tirelessly sought to bring love where there was hatred, unity where there was discord,” he said.
The Brazilian leader also highlighted the pope’s work on the social and environmental agenda. With simplicity, courage and empathy, Pope Francis brought the debate on climate change to the Vatican and denounced economic models that generate injustice and inequality, he pointed out.
“He always stood by those who need it most—the poor, the refugees, the young, the elderly, and the victims of wars and all forms of prejudice,” President Lula stated.
He also mentioned the meetings he had with the pope alongside First Lady Janja da Silva, describing them as moments of affection and an opportunity to share common ideals. “We were able to share our ideals of peace, equality, and justice—ideals that the world has always needed, and will always need,” he argued.
At the end of the note, the president wished consolation to all those suffering from the loss of the religious leader. “The holy father is gone, but his message will remain engraved in our hearts,” he wrote.
Meetings
Photo: Ricardo Stuckert / PR
President Lula and Pope Francis met officially on three occasions. The first meeting took place at the Vatican on February 13, 2020. The private meeting took place in Casa Santa Marta, where the pope usually receives guests in a more reserved and informal setting. For about an hour, they talked about the importance of solidarity, fighting inequality, and building a more just and fraternal world.
Once elected, President Lula met the pontiff again on June 21, 2023, also at the Vatican. There, in addition to reaffirming their bonds of friendship, they discussed issues on the global agenda, such as the promotion of peace, environmental preservation, and the fight against hunger and poverty. The president invited Pope Francis to visit Brazil, especially during the Círio de Nazaré celebration in Belém, Pará state.
The third meeting was held on June 14, 2024, during the G7 Summit in the Apulia region of southern Italy. The pope attended the event for the first time as a speaker, emphasizing the need for an ethical use of artificial intelligence and condemning the development of lethal autonomous weapons. In a private meeting, President Lula and Pope Francis again discussed topics such as the fight against hunger, the promotion of peace, and the urgent need to reduce global inequalities.
In February this year, First Lady Janja had another meeting with Pope Francis in the middle of a trip to Rome for the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. During the assembly, she thanked the pope for his prayers for the president’s health and shared reflections on the situation of women and girls affected by hunger and poverty.
Visit to Brazil
After his election in 2013, Pope Francis had Brazil as his first international destination and was welcomed by then-President Dilma Rousseff. The pontiff was at World Youth Day (WYD), an event that brought together millions of young people from all over the world.
During his visit, the pope visited the Favela da Varginha, the São Francisco de Assis na Providência de Deus Hospital, and celebrated mass for crowds in Copacabana.
On the same trip, he visited São Paulo’s National Sanctuary of Aparecida, where he also gathered a crowd of faithful.
