Entertainment

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.

Pope Francis death: King Charles pays tribute to ‘faithful follower of Christ’ | News World | Metro News

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.

(FILES) Pope Francis (L) waves at the end of his weekly general audience at Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican on October 26, 2022. Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025 announced The Vatican. (Photo by Vincenzo PINTO / AFP) (Photo by VINCENZO PINTO/AFP via Getty Images)
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.’

RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS Mandatory Credit: Photo by VATICAN MEDIA/ipa-agency.net/REX/Shutterstock (12947527b) Pope Francis flanked by Bono (Paul David Hewson). during the Presentation of the "Scholas Occurrentes" Movement at the Pontifical Urbanian University Presentation of The Scholas Occurrentes Movement at The Pontifical Urbanianan University, Rome, Italy - 19 May 2022
Bono had previously met the Pope (Picture: Vatican Media/ ipa-agency.net/ Rex/ Shutterstock)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by ABACA/REX/Shutterstock (14327509a) U.S director Martin Scorsese meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican on January 31, 2024. The American film maker has become a regular at the Vatican and a familiar face for the Pope and this time he gifted him with a photo book of his latest film 'Killers of the Flower Moon' which picked up 10 Oscar nominations. The last time he visited Pope Francis was in May of 2023, where he revealed that he will make a film about Jesus. He recently confirmed that he finished the script for this movie, titled 'A Life of Jesus' and plans to shoot it later this year. Martin Scorsese Meets Pope Francis - Vatican, Vatican City, Vatican (or Holy See) - 31 Jan 2024
Director Martin Scorsese, who is Catholic, kissed the hands of Pope Francis last year (Picture: ABACA/ Rex/ Shutterstock)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by ABACA/REX/Shutterstock (13404158b) Angelina Jolie met Pope Francis during a private audience at the Vatican on January 8, 2015. The 39-year-old appeared thrilled as she shook hands with the pope after a screening of her new film and second directorial effort, ?Unbroken?. The pope was not present at the screening, but Angelina - the Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nation Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) - and two of her children met him briefly afterwards. She directed the film about American Olympian and World War Two hero Louis Zamperini, whose plane was shot down over the Pacific during World War Two. Both Angelina and Brad 'admire the pope' and 'like the pope's message. Angelina Jolie met Pope Francis - Vatican, Rome, Vatican (or Holy See) - 08 Jan 2015
Angelina Jolie, who once said she ‘admired’ Pope Francis, met him in 2015 (Picture: ABACA/ Rex/ Shutterstock)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by ABACA/REX/Shutterstock (13387722a) Pope Francis met US actor George Clooney and his wife Amal at an event held at the Vatican on May 29, 2016 to promote the work of a foundation inspired by the pontiff, Scholas Occurrentes. Pope Francis also met Richard Gere and his girlfriend Alejandra Silva.The foundation, whose name means 'schools that meet' in Spanish, links technology with the arts, aiming at social integration and a cultural of peace. Francis had created a similar organisation when he was Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, but Scholas has now become an international foundation working out of the Vatican. Pope Francis Meets George Clooney And Richard Gere - Vatican, Vatican City, Vatican (or Holy See) - 30 May 2016
George Clooney and Amal Clooney met him the following year (Picture: ABACA/ Rex/ Shutterstock)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by ABACA/REX/Shutterstock (13383621b) Pope Francis has met with Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan at the Vatican on August 29, 2016. The chat took place in the Santa Marta residence, the guest house where the pope lives. One topic of discussion at the meeting was 'how to use communication technologies to alleviate poverty, encourage a culture of encounter, and make a message of hope arrive, especially to those most in need.' Pope Francis Meets With Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg - Vatican, Vatican (or Holy See) - 29 Aug 2016
Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg met him in 2016 (Picture: ABACA/ Rex/ Shutterstock)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 26: Actor Mark Wahlberg (C) speaks as Pope Francis (L) speaks during the Festival of Families on September 26, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pope Francis is wrapping up his trip to the United States with two days in Philadelphia where he will attend the Festival of Families and will meet with prisoners at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
Mark Wahlberg spoke during the Festival of Families attended by Pope Francis in 2015 (Picture: Carl Court/ Getty Images)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by L'Osservatore Romano/Pool/Prensa Internacional Via Zuma/REX/Shutterstock (8112227d) Pope Francis looks at a book given to him by Arnold Schwarzenegger, center, on the occasion of their meeting, at the end of the weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican Pope Francis general audience, Vatican, Italy - 25 Jan 2017
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)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by ABACA/REX/Shutterstock (13387722b) Pope Francis met American US Richard Gere and his girlfriend Alejandra Silva at an event held at the Vatican on May 29, 2016 to promote the work of a foundation inspired by the pontiff, Scholas Occurrentes. Pope Francis also met George Clooney and his wife Amal.The foundation, whose name means 'schools that meet' in Spanish, links technology with the arts, aiming at social integration and a cultural of peace. Francis had created a similar organisation when he was Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, but Scholas has now become an international foundation working out of the Vatican. Pope Francis Meets George Clooney And Richard Gere - Vatican, Vatican City, Vatican (or Holy See) - 30 May 2016
Other Hollywood stars once pictured with the Pope included Richard Gere (Picture: ABACA/ Rex/ Shutterstock)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by ABACA/REX/Shutterstock (13393274a) Leonardo DiCaprio has met Pope Francis at the Vatican on January 28, 2016 to discuss their shared concern about the environment and give him a cheque to use on charity works 'close to your heart'. Leonardo DiCaprio met Pope Francis - Vatican, Rome, Italy - 28 Jan 2016
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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