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Whoopi Goldberg and Antonio Banderas lead celebrity tributes to ‘compassionate’ Pope Francis

Mandatory Credit: Photo by ABACA/REX/Shutterstock (14539366a) Pope Francis greets American actress Whoopi Goldberg, as he meets with more than 100 comedians from around the world at the Vatican on June 14, 2024, encouraging them to cheer people up and help people see reality with all its contradictions. Comedians are among the most well-loved and applauded entertainers, Pope Francis said, because they 'have and cultivate the gift of making people laugh.' Pope Francis told comedians they are in possession of 'a precious gift,' that can spread peace 'within hearts and between peoples, helping us to overcome difficulties and cope with daily stress.' The pontiff is known for his sense of humor. He likes to crack jokes with people he meets, often telling them with a smile: 'please pray for me... not against me!' He has repeatedly emphasized the importance of having a sense of humor, saying it is something that he prays for each day. Photoby (EV) Vatican Media /ABACAPRESS.COM Pope Francis Meets With More Than 100 Comedians - Vatican, Rome, Vatican (or Holy See) - 14 Jun 2024
Celebrities including Whoopi Goldberg have paid tribute Pope Francis (Picture: ABACA/ Rex/ Shutterstock)

Celebrity tributes for Pope Francis have begun to stream in from celebrities after it was announced the head of the Catholic Church died aged 88.

This morning the Vatican released a statement that read: ‘Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.’

After being admitted to hospital on February 14 after having difficulty breathing, it later emerged the Pope was suffering from a complex respiratory tract infection and double pneumonia.

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Pope Francis led the Catholic Church for 12 years, having been elected in March 2013 following the historic resignation of his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI.

Since news of his death spread, many notable names in the entertainment industry have expressed their condolences.

Whoopi Goldberg, who met the Pope twice, posted a photo with him on Instagram.

It was announced this morning that he had died aged 88 (Picture: Vincenzo Pinto/ AFP via Getty Images)
Antonio Banderas said he ‘showed kindness, love, and mercy to the neediest people’ (Picture: AP)

‘He was the closest in a long time that seemed to remember that Christ’s love enveloped believer and none believer. He felt more like Pope John the 23rd who made belief real. Sail on Pope Frances with your love of humanity & Laughter,’ she shared.

Also sharing a photo shaking the hand of the religious leader, Antonio Banderas wrote: ‘Muere el papa Francisco, muere un hombre que al frente de la iglesia católica mostró bondad, amor y misericordia con los más necesitados. Pope Francisco has died — a man who, at the head of the Catholic Church, showed kindness, love, and mercy to the neediest people.’

Bono had previously met the Pope (Picture: Vatican Media/ ipa-agency.net/ Rex/ Shutterstock)
Director Martin Scorsese, who is Catholic, kissed the hands of Pope Francis last year (Picture: ABACA/ Rex/ Shutterstock)
Angelina Jolie, who once said she ‘admired’ Pope Francis, met him in 2015 (Picture: ABACA/ Rex/ Shutterstock)
George Clooney and Amal Clooney met him the following year (Picture: ABACA/ Rex/ Shutterstock)
Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg met him in 2016 (Picture: ABACA/ Rex/ Shutterstock)
Mark Wahlberg spoke during the Festival of Families attended by Pope Francis in 2015 (Picture: Carl Court/ Getty Images)
Arnold Schwarzenegger gifted the religious leader a book during a general audience at the Vatican in 2017 (Picture: L’Osservatore Romano/ Pool/ Prensa Internacional Via Zuma/ Rex/ Shutterstock)
Other Hollywood stars once pictured with the Pope included Richard Gere (Picture: ABACA/ Rex/ Shutterstock)
Leonardo DiCaprio met him in 2016 to discuss their shared concern about the environment (Picture: ABACA/ Rex/ Shutterstock)

Meanwhile, Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh also paid tribute.

‘RIP Pope Francis ♥️ Within the constraints of his tradition, manifestly compassionate and standing with the marginalised. What a loss,’ she added.

Another post made in tribute came from I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! star Reverend Richard Coles.

‘Into your hands, O merciful Saviour, we commend your servant Jorge, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen,’ he shared on X.

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