Leaders of church organisations across the world joined the tributes to Pope Francis following his death on April 21.

The Rev Professor Jerry Pillay, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) said: “Pope Francis’s passing will be mourned around the world, not least among his many allies and admirers in the ecumenical movement and in the worldwide fellowship of the WCC. His papacy has been a great gift to the ecumenical movement, and he has been a dedicated collaborator in our efforts toward Christian unity and reconciliation and a prophetic voice for peace, the environment, and justice everywhere.”

The Rev Dr Setri Nyomi, general secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, described Pope Francis as “A witness to God’s inclusive love, to ecological justice, and to walking with the poor and the forgotten.” He added: “He lived the Gospel in a way that resonated deeply with people of all traditions. His loss is felt around the world.”

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) released a statement offering condolences to the Catholic Church. While noting that Protestant/Catholic theological differences had not been resolved, it praised Francis’s ministry to the poor and marginalised and reaching out to other Christian denominations, noting “Evangelicals have generally appreciated the friendly gestures.”