President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva decreed on Monday (21) official mourning of seven days in honor of Pope Francis. By note, the president highlighted the legacy of the Argentine pontiff Jorge Mario Bergoglio and deeply regretted the loss of a “voice of respect and welcome to others”.
Lula stressed that Francisco lived and propagated values such as love, tolerance and solidarity.
“As taught in the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, the Pope sought tirelessly to bring love where hatred existed. The union, where there was discord,” he said.
The president also highlighted the Pope’s performance on central themes of the global social and environmental agenda. According to him, with simplicity, courage and empathy, Francisco led to the Vatican the debate on climate change and denounced economic models that generate injustice and inequalities.
“He has always placed himself beside those who need it most: the poor, the refugees, the young, the elderly and the victims of the wars and all forms of prejudice,” said Lula.
The president also recalled the meetings he had with the Pope, next to the first lady Janja da Silva, as moments of affection and sharing of common ideals. “We could share our ideals of peace, equality and justice. Ideals that the world has always needed. And it will always need,” he said.
At the end of the note, the president wanted comfort to all who suffer from the loss of the religious leader. “The Holy Father goes, but his messages will continue to be recorded in our hearts,” he concluded.
Photo: Ricardo Stuckert/PR
Dating
President Lula and Pope Francis have officially met on three occasions. The first meeting took place on February 13, 2020 at the Vatican. The private meeting was held at Casa Santa Marta, where the Pope usually receives guests in a more reserved and informal environment. For about an hour, they talked about the importance of solidarity, the fight against inequalities and the construction of a more just and fraternal world.
Already elected, Lula again met with the Pontiff on June 21, 2023, also at the Vatican. At the time, in addition to reaffirming friendships, they discussed topics of 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 celebration of Círio de Nazaré in Belém (PA).
The third meeting took place on June 14, 2024, during the G7 summit, held in the Apulia region of southern Italy. The Pope first participated as a speaker at the event, highlighting the need for an ethical use of artificial intelligence and condemning the development of lethal autonomous weapons. In a private meeting, Lula and Francisco again discuss topics such as the fight against hunger, the promotion of peace and the urgent need to reduce global inequalities
In February this year, Janja had a new meeting with Pope Francis in the midst of a trip to Rome for the global alliance against hunger and poverty. During the meeting, she thanked Lula’s health prayers and shared with Pope reflections on the situation of women and girls affected by hunger and poverty.
