Obama mourns Pope Francis as “rare leader who made us want to be better people”

Abdullateef Fowewe

Former United State President Barack Obama has mourned the death of Pope Francis, describing him as a rare leader whose life and example inspired people around the world to strive for greater compassion and moral responsibility.

In a statement shared on his verified X (formally Twitter) handle on Monday, Obama reflected on the Pope’s humility and powerful gestures, recalling how his actions, embracing the sick, caring for the homeless, and washing the feet of young prisoners, challenged global indifference and reminded humanity of its shared duty to God and one another.

Obama wrote “Pope Francis was the rare leader who made us want to be better people. In his humility and his gestures at once simple and profound – embracing the sick, ministering to the homeless, washing the feet of young prisoners – he shook us out of our complacency and reminded us that we are all bound by moral obligations to God and one another.

“Today, Michelle and I mourn with everyone around the world – Catholic and non-Catholic alike – who drew strength and inspiration from the Pope’s example. May we continue to heed his call to ‘never remain on the sidelines of this march of living hope’.”