Whoopi Goldberg, JD Vance and More Pay Tribute to Pope Francis: He Remembered ‘That Christ’s Love Enveloped Believer and Non-Believer’

Whoopi Goldberg, JD Vance and more have paid tribute to Pope Francis after the Catholic Church leader died on Monday at the age of 88.

Vatican officials confirmed the Pope’s death, with Cardinal Kevin Farrell saying in a statement: “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized.”

Francis had been experiencing health issues lately, having been hospitalized in February with bronchitis, which led to double pneumonia and several respiratory crises. However, he was released from the hospital on March 23 and came out of convalescence on Easter Sunday to bless thousands of people on St. Peter’s Square.

Goldberg, who met the Pope in 2023 and again last year, wrote on Instagram that “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.”