'Devastating': Newsom, CA Reacts To Death Of Pope Francis

CALIFORNIA — From Gov. Gavin Newsom to Hollywood stars like Whoopi Goldberg, tributes to Pope Francis, who died Monday at age 88, poured in across the Golden State on Monday.

"Jennifer and I join the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. He saw God in all His creatures, reminding us of humanity’s obligations towards each other and the world we live in, asking us to 'care for one another and let us be loving custodians of creation,'" Newsom wrote in a statement.

Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli hospital this February for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.

The pope emerged from his convalescence on Easter Sunday to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square and treat them to a surprise popemobile romp through the piazza, drawing wild cheers and applause as he continued his recovery from a near-fatal bout of double pneumonia.

“Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!” Francis said, his voice sounding stronger than it has since he was released from the hospital on March 23.

History’s first Latin American pontiff and also the first Jesuit elected to head the Roman Catholic Church, Francis charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor, the marginalized and migrants but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change.

The Holy Father named himself after St. Francis of Assisi in deference to the saint’s humility and commitment to the poor and his message of peace. He lived in a simple two-room suite at the Vatican guesthouse rather than the more luxurious Apostolic Palace.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi posted a lengthy letter to pay her respects to the late Pope.

"Personally, the loss of Pope Francis is devastating," she said on X. Pelosi said she was in attendance during his installation on the Feast of Saint Joseph in 2013.

"Many of us who met His Holiness know that he would always say, 'Pray for me.' Now, we will pray to him and pledge to carry on his towering legacy. May he rest in peace," she wrote.

Goldberg posted a photo of herself with Francis from 2023 and said he was "the closest in a long time that seemed to remember that Christ's love enveloped believer and [non] believer."

Actor Antonio Banderas also posted a photo of himself with Francis.

"Pope Francisco has died — a man who, at the head of the Catholic Church, showed kindness, love, and mercy to the neediest people," he wrote.

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!”

The Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has offered prayers and condolences for Francis to his spiritual brothers, sisters and followers around the world.

He said in a letter that Francis had dedicated himself to the service of others, “consistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful life. The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warm-hearted person, serving others wherever and in whatever way we can.”

The first formal liturgical ritual for Francis will occur at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) on Monday with the confirmation of the pope's death and the placement of the body in the coffin.

The Vatican released the announcement from Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the master of liturgical ceremonies. The presiding prelate is Cardinal Joseph Farrell, the camerlengo who has taken over the administration of the Holy See and will remain in charge until a new pope is elected.

• Related: Pope Francis Dies At Age 88: The Latest

Those invited to attend the ceremony, which will take place in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where Francis lived, are the dean of the College of Cardinals, any relatives of the pope, the director and vice director of the Vatican's health department.

The body rests in the pope's personal chapel for the ritual pronouncement of death, presided over by the camerlengo, the Vatican official who runs the Holy See administration between the death or resignation of one pope and the election of another.

For the public, the cardinal archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, is expected to lead a recitation of the Rosary prayer in St. Peter's Square later Monday.

According to the new rites and rituals Francis approved last year, the body will remain in the chapel for a few days before being brought for public viewing in St. Peter's Basilica. After that there will be the funeral and conclave to elect a new pope.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.