Pope Francis and Mayors

City Mayors from across the world mourn the death of Pope Francis

Unlike his predecessors, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, Francis recognised humanity’s diversity

In 2023, on his first trip outside Rome, Pope Francis met refugees on the Italian Island of Lampedusa. In 2022, the pontiff encouraged mayors to stay close to their fellow citizens. (Photo: Marta Giovannini, Mayor of Vedurno, Piedmont)

April 2025: Ordinary Catholics and many followers of other religions, as well as atheists, saw Pope Francis as a church leader who cared about people, especially the poor and the marginalised.

While Pope Francis disappointed liberals who would have liked him to change the church’s teaching on birth control, gay marriage, married clergy and women priests, he changed the Catholic Church’s views on many social issues. Unlike his predecessors, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, Francis recognised humanity’s diversity. During his first year in office, he said he would not obsess over abortion, gay marriage and birth control since everyone knows what the church teaches on these topics. When asked about a gay priest, he said, “Who am I to judge?”

Early in his papacy, Francis became a strong advocate for migrants. In 2013, his first trip outside Rome was to the Sicilian Island of Lampedusa to meet with newly arrived migrants. He denounced the ‘globalisation of indifference’ shown to would-be refugees.

Pope Francis prayed for dead migrants at the US-Mexico border in 2016 and brought 12 Syrian Muslims to Rome on his plane after visiting a refugee camp in Lesbos, Greece. His plea for welcome put him at odds with many US and European politicians. Francis disliked Donald Trump and said that anyone building a wall to keep migrants out was not a Christian. But he admired the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who, in 2015, allowed one million mostly Syrian refugees to cross the borders into Germany.

Throughout his papacy, Francis met city leaders from Italy and many other countries. He once said mayors were his favourite politicians because they best understood the concerns of ordinary citizens. In 2022, in his address to Italian mayors, the Pope encouraged them to remain close to the people, because “one temptation when faced with responsibility is to isolate oneself.” “You must not stand on a mountain and look at your people with indifference.”

Pope Francis was the first pontiff who took a deep interest in the daily challenges faced by mayors. In his address in the Vatican’s Clementine Hall, he told mayors from across Italy that he looked at them with great appreciation. “Your work during the COVID pandemic was remarkable.”

The Pope continued: “Your presence has been instrumental in encouraging people to keep looking forward. You have been a point of reference in enforcing the regulations, at times burdensome but necessary for the health of citizens. Indeed, your voice has also helped those with legislative responsibility in making timely decisions for the good of all.”

The Pope's words showed that Francis not only understood the responsibility of mayors but also realised the importance they have for their communities and beyond.

“When I think of your work, I realise how complex it is. Moments of consolation are accompanied by many difficulties. On the one hand, your closeness to the people is a great opportunity to serve citizens, who appreciate you for your presence among them. Your closeness. On the other hand, I imagine that at times you feel the loneliness of responsibility. Often, people think that democracy is reduced merely to delegating by vote, forgetting the principle of participation, essential for a city to be well managed. Mayors are expected to have the solution to all problems! But these problems, as we know, cannot be solved by financial resources alone. How important it is to be able to count on the presence of supportive networks, which provide expertise to deal with them! The pandemic has brought to light so many frailties, but also the generosity of volunteers, neighbours, health workers and administrators who have gone out of their way to alleviate the suffering and loneliness of the poor and elderly. This network of supportive relationships is a treasure that must be preserved and strengthened.”

Although the Pope's death was not unexpected, the announcement of his death on Easter Monday 2025 caused great consternation. Mayors from all over the world reacted with bewilderment and deep sadness. They spoke of a person who meant so much to many of their fellow citizens. They called him a friend of their city who will be missed but never forgotten.

Jorge Macri, Mayor of Buenos Aires, Argentina

I feel deep sorrow. Francis had been fighting a strong battle because of his illness, but always with a tremendous dedication. He was a citizen of Buenos Aires who transcended the limits of our city like no one else. Francis always asked us to remain close to those who suffer the most. He was a Pope without pomp, without luxury, dedicated to the people who had suffered all their lives. I share a vision, one that I carry forever in my heart. The concept of leaving no one behind, that no one is disposable, that those of us who have leadership roles must have certainty of direction, but also the sensitivity to go to the back of the queue.

Clara Brugada, Mayor of Mexico City, Mexico

His Holiness, during his time at the head of the Vatican, was a point of reference for progressive peoples, and the role he played has been praised. ‘A Pope who fought the hardest for human rights, who understood the people the most, who defended people's lives, who fought against poverty. Right now, many people in the world feel overwhelmed by the death of Francis, who identified with the poor and was very attentive to progressive developments. WE, in Mexico City, thought Pope Francis had recovered, so our greatest sympathy goes out to the whole world and here in Mexico, of course, to the Catholic Church. But above all, we are going to miss this Pope who was very much linked to the poor and the struggles of the people, for emancipation, for justice.

Eric Adams, Mayor of New York, USA

It is with great sadness that I mourn with billions around the world after learning of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.

As someone deeply connected to my faith and who represents a city of millions of Catholics, my visit to the Vatican to meet with and hear directly from Pope Francis last year was one of the most sacred and special moments of my life.

Pope Francis led with kindness, grace, and faith as he helped build a better world and unite all people, regardless of their background. His decades of spreading peace and love will forever be remembered.

Roberto Gualtieri, Mayor of Rome, Italy

Pope Francis marked an era with his example of simplicity, his untiring commitment to peace, his closeness and love for the least well-off. His magisterium and his example will remain alive forever. We affectionately embrace the Church and all those who find in it a guide and a point of reference. Rome, the city he loved deeply and where he was ‘Bishop among the people’, will always remember him with immense gratitude and sincere affection.

Sara Funaro, Mayor of Florence, Italy

Florence joins with deep emotion and sorrow the condolences of the entire world for the death of Pope Francis. A point of reference for millions of people, a symbol of humility, commitment to peace and closeness to the last. His message of hope, dialogue and brotherhood will live forever.

Stefano Lo Russo, Mayor of Turin, Italy

Pope Francis' voice spoke to us of universal values, reminding us of the importance of fighting for a better society. Meeting him last year, together with Cardinal Repole, was one of the most emotional moments of my journey as mayor,’ said the first citizen. ‘It is a great sorrow,’ he continues, ’to know that we will not have the opportunity to welcome him back to an area that was profoundly linked to him.

That Pope who came from afar, ‘from the end of the world’, to use his words when he presented himself for the first time as Holy Father, touched the hearts of so many people, always reiterating the great importance of openness to others.

Jamil Sadeghiolvaad, Mayor of Rimini, Italy

Father Francis has returned to the House of the Father. It is the news of these minutes that is going round the world. The condolences are unanimous for this truly ‘Pastor’ Pontiff who, in tumultuous years, was able to bring a breath of modernity and courage to the Church and the century, using a new and completely sincere language.

Right to the very end. His very harsh words against the war in the Middle East and all wars are only a few days old. And above all, his extreme courage in bringing his illness to the fore as a universal message of humanity and hope is unforgettable.

Henriette Reker, Mayor of Cologne, Germany

The death of Pope Francis makes me very sad. For me, it is comforting that he was still able to celebrate Easter, the highest feast in the Christian liturgical year, the feast of hope.

I was able to meet Pope Francis in person twice. Most recently, last year, at a conference in the Vatican on climate change. I experienced him in the same way that many people in Cologne experienced him: He was the face of a people-centred, approachable church on earth. He placed charity and social action at the centre of the Catholic faith. Many Cologne residents hope that his reforms will have a lasting impact on the church.

José Luis Martínez-Almeida, Mayor of Madrid, Spain

With his faith and dedication to the service of God and humanity, he taught us the true path of love and hope.

Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris, France

I was lucky enough to meet Pope Francis. The message that was his, a very, very strong message that will be sorely missed. He was taken from us when he needed him most. Maybe, he will continue the work he began on this earth.

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