In the hours following Pope Francis’ death Monday, leaders from Illinois — including former President Barack Obama and Gov. JB Pritzker — offered their condolences and urged the world to embrace the 88-year-old pontiff’s legacy of humility and compassion.
Here’s what they had to say:
“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.’ ”
— Former President Barack Obama
“Pope Francis showed the world how to lead with empathy and humility. Extending a hand to help anyone in need, ‘the People’s Pope’ inspired millions who drew strength and compassion from him to embrace peace. May his memory be a blessing.”
— Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker
“His legacy will live in the hearts of millions of people throughout the world who took comfort in his message at a time in which tyranny looms and clerics are using religion and other etiological frames to divide the world.”
— Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson
“Pope Francis was a pillar of the Catholic Church, a beacon of hope, compassion and light in times of fear, hatred and darkness. Throughout his life, he taught us that in order to be great, we have to be good. He urged each of us to care for the poor, feed the hungry, be humble stewards of the Earth and treat others how we would want to be treated ourselves — even if they pray or live differently than us. His teachings remain as important as ever.”
— U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois
“We have lost the messenger, but we must hold fast to the message of Pope Francis to love and respect one another. In a world of hate and fear, Pope Francis’ message of peace and understanding is needed now more than ever. We should honor the Pope with a ‘Francis Day’ of world peace: stop the bombing in Ukraine and Gaza; feed the dying in Sudan and around the globe; and show kindness to one another.”
— U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois
“In our Illinois communities as throughout the world, people of all backgrounds and all beliefs mourn the passing of Pope Francis. That is a testament to the scope of a ministry focused on love and inclusion, and grounded in humility and humanity. While his service is now concluded, Pope Francis’ enduring gift to us all is the model of servant leadership he lived, which now more than ever we must all strive to carry forward.”
— Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside
“Pope Francis reinvigorated my faith in the Roman Catholic Church, and my belief that our Catholicism is about tending to the least among us. As a Jesuit, he affirmed that we are to be men and women for others.”
— Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park
“It is with great sadness that I have learned of his Holiness Pope Francis’ passing, but I also want to express my gratitude for his homily of compassion, humility and service. The faith and leadership he displayed as a disciple of Christ was a remarkable example for all of us. I am thinking of and praying for all my fellow Catholics who are mourning his passing today.”
— Illinois Senate GOP leader John Curran, R-Lemont
Pope Francis is applauded as he arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington on Sept. 24, 2015, to address a joint meeting of Congress , making history as the first pontiff to do so. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)
“The world has lost a great messenger for peace and compassion. Pope Francis spent his life in service to those less fortunate and used his influence as Pope to advance the causes of environmentalism, peace and equality. He led with humility and the biblical call to welcome all, including refugees and immigrants. At all times, Pope Francis reminded the world that the root of the Catholic faith is in aiding the poor, voiceless and disadvantaged. It was one of the great honors of my career to attend Pope Francis’s address to Congress in 2015. My thoughts are with the millions of Catholics who mourn his passing, and I stand with those around the world who grieve the loss of this moral giant. In these difficult times, the best way to honor Pope Francis’s memory is to follow his example by extending mercy and kindness to all those around us.”
— U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Chicago
“Pope Francis’ progressive legacy expands past the Church, being an advocate for peace for every person and community across the world. His perspective on interfaith dialogue and social justice paved the way for positive reforms in the Catholic community. He consistently drew attention to the plight of the poor and warned against a ‘culture of indifference’ towards marginalized populations. He condemned the criminalization and deportation of immigrants and approved several measures that made the Catholic church more accepting of LGBTQ+ people. He condemned the bombing of civilians in Gaza. In 2015, he called for the world to take action against global warming and environmental degradation in his second encyclical Laudato Si’. Through his sympathy and social consciousness, he emphasized the importance of humanitarianism and revitalized the hope of many. He was particularly loved in the Latino Catholic community as the first Pope of Latin American origin. My social values have and will always be tied to my upbringing as a Catholic, and I will remember Pope Francis as a leader deeply committed to faith and justice.”
— U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, D-Chicago
“I am saddened to learn about the passing of Pope Francis. Throughout his time in ministry and his historic tenure as Pope, he was committed to living a life of faith, compassion and service to others. It was an honor to attend his joint address before Congress in 2015, the first Pope to do so. I join the world in honoring his legacy, and ensuring that his memory lives on with Christians all over the world.”
— U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria
“Pope Francis led with humility, compassion and courage — transcending borders and faiths in his call to serve the least among us. May Catholics and all who mourn his passing take comfort in knowing his legacy of peace and justice will endure.”
— U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Schaumburg
Originally Published: April 21, 2025 at 3:11 PM CDT
