Vatican City (AFP) - World leaders remembered Pope Francis as “a beacon of compassion” after the death on Monday of the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

Here are some key tributes to the 88-year-old pontiff:

- ‘Rest in Peace’: Trump -

“Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!” US President Donald Trump, who clashed with the Argentine pontiff on a number of issues, wrote on his Truth Social platform. “He was a good man, he worked hard and loved the world,” Trump said later. He also announced that he will attend the pope’s funeral in Rome. Former US president Joe Biden, a Catholic, said Francis “will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time and I am better for having known him.”

- ‘Defender of justice’: Putin -

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Francis was a “wise” religious leader, a “statesman” and a “consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice,” who “actively promoted dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches”.

- ‘Courageous’: Britain -

King Charles, who is also the head of the Church of England and was one of the last foreign dignitaries to meet the pope, said he was “deeply saddened” by Francis’s death, adding: “Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many”.

- Wise despite ‘differences’: Argentina’s leader -

Football great Lionel Messi thanked Pope Francis Monday for “making the world a better place” as the late pontiff’s favourite club, San Lorenzo, hailed his decades-long “passion” for the team. Argentina ordered seven days of mourning for the pope. “In spite of differences that today seem minor, to have known him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honor for me,” Argentine President Javier Milei posted on social media.

- ‘A great man has left us’: Italy -

“Pope Francis has returned to the Father’s home. It is deeply sad news, because a great man has left us,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.

- Inspired Refugee Team at Olympics -

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said the pope inspired him to set up the Olympic refugee team. Bach said in a tribute that the IOC had lost “a great friend and supporter”.

“His powerful voice in support of refugees is a shining example of his commitment, and it inspired me to create the first-ever refugee Olympic team for the Olympic Games Rio 2016,” Bach said in a statement.

- ‘A faithful friend’: Palestinian president -

“Today, we lost a faithful friend of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights,” Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said, noting that the pope “recognised the Palestinian state and authorised the Palestinian flag to be raised in the Vatican”.

- Indelible impression -

Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape said said Pope Francis’s visit to his country’s capital and a jungle outpost last year had inspired a nation that has long felt forgotten.

Francis held a mass for tens of thousands at a stadium in Port Moresby and travelled to meet the faithful in the jungle-clad, coastal community of Vanimo. “His engagements with our young people and church leaders left an indelible impression on all who witnessed them,” Marape said. “His words and presence inspired our people, reminding us to care for the vulnerable, to act justly, and to walk humbly with God.”

- ‘Profound legacy’: Spain -

“I am sorry to hear of the death of Pope Francis. His commitment to peace, social justice and the most vulnerable leaves a profound legacy. Rest in peace,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said. Real Madrid football players held a minute’s silence before they started training.

- ‘Heart open to all’: Philippines -

“Pope Francis led not only with wisdom but with a heart open to all, especially the poor and forgotten,” said Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, calling him a man of “profound faith and humility”.

- Buddhist tribute -

Tibet’s spiritual leader the Dalai Lama praised Pope Francis who had “dedicated himself to the service of others… consistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful life.” The Buddhist leader said: “The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warm-hearted person, serving others wherever and in whatever way we can”.

- ‘Defender of the environment’: Japan PM -

“The demise of Pope Francis is not only a great loss for the people of the Vatican and Catholics, but also for the international community,” said Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba of Japan, remembering him as a defender of the environment and diplomacy in the name of peace.

- Nigeria leader hails pope’s climate action -

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu on Monday hailed Pope Francis for his action on climate change. “Today, with a heavy heart, I join the Catholic faithful and Christians worldwide in mourning the passing of Pope Francis,” Tinubu said in a statement. “Alas, the Lord called him home… making the world lose its most trenchant voice for justice and action against climate change.”

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