“The Pope and I had a more active relationship than was apparent. It went well beyond our respective institutional roles,” she told Italian state broadcaster RAI.

“We’ve met many times, even just to exchange opinions. He was able to give comfort in very difficult moments, I have many memories of the Pope,” she added in a broken voice.

The 88-year-old pontiff died on Monday a day after his first prolonged public appearance since being discharged on March 23 from a lengthy hospital stay for pneumonia.

“The fact he’s leaving on Easter Monday, it’s like he wanted to do his duty until the very end,” Meloni added, saying he had appeared fatigued at their most recent meeting.

She said she was proud of convincing him to become the first pontiff to address a Group of Seven summit in 2024.

“We say goodbye to the Holy Father with a heart full of sadness,” she added in an official statement.

Also expressing sorrow was East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta who said the death of Pope Francis was a tremendous loss for the world, not just Christians.

The 88-year-old pontiff was the first pope to visit East Timor in over 30 years, following John Paul II, whose appearance gave the country’s movement for independence from occupying Indonesia from 1975-1999 a historic boost.

The president of Asia’s youngest, predominantly-Catholic nation told Reuters that flags in East Timor would be flown at half-mast for one week to honour the late pontiff’s life and a mass would also be held in his honour.

“He leaves behind a profound legacy of humanity, of justice, of human fraternity, a tremendous loss for the world, not only for Christians,” he said in a phone interview.

Ramos-Horta praised Francis’ courage to speak out “for the poor, for the weak…against arrogance, against abuse, against wars.”

The former Portuguese colony is a half-island nation of 1.3 million people north of Australia and one of only two predominantly Catholic countries in Asia.

Over 600,000 people turned out to see Francis in East Timor’s capital of Dili last year, during an international visit which included stops in neighbouring Indonesia and Singapore.

“Look after these wonderful people,” Ramos-Horta cited Francis’ last words to him last year.

Britain’s King Charles said he and Queen Camilla were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis.

“Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry,” Charles said in a statement.

“His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others,” he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said throughout the years of his pontificate, the pope actively promoted the development of dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, as well as constructive cooperation between Russia and the Holy See.

Argentina’s President Javier Milei said he was profoundly sad to learn that Pope Francis, Jorge Bergoglio, passed away and was now resting in peace.

“Despite differences that seem minor today, having been able to know him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honour for me,” he posted on X.

US vice president JD Vance, who was the last world leader to see the pope, said his heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.

“I was happy to see him yesterday (Sunday), though he was obviously very ill. But, I’ll always remember him for the…. homily he gave in the very early days of Covid. It was really quite beautiful.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said that throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis had always sided with the most vulnerable and the most fragile, and that he did this with a lot of humility. In this time of war and brutality, he had a sense for the other, for the most fragile.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared that Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world.

“He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope. I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God’s embrace.”

Germany’s Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz said that Pope Francis would be remembered for tireless commitment to the society’s weakest members.

“He was guided by humility and faith in God’s mercy,” Merz said in a post on X.

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog said the pope was a man of deep faith and boundless compassion.

“He dedicated his life to uplifting the poor and calling for peace in a troubled world. I truly hope that his prayers for peace in the Middle East and for the safe return of the hostages (in Gaza) will soon be answered,” Herzog said on X.