New Delhi [India], April 22 (ANI): Reuben Gauci, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Malta to India, condoled the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on Monday. He said he was the voice of reason, hope, and love in the world.

Recalling the moments Reuben Gauci shared with Pope Francis back in 2014, he said that his smile was a means of communication.

'I remember seeing him when I was serving in Istanbul in 2014, I was struck by his smile when I saw him. His smile was a message in itself. His smile was a means of communication. He was the voice of reason, hope and love in the world. His legacy should continue,' Reuben Gauci said.

Earlier, the Ambassador of Ireland to India, Kevin Kelly, condoled Pope Francis's death and called him a 'world leader.'

Speaking with ANI, Kevin Kelly said, 'It's a sad day, but we can all be inspired by Pope Francis and what he did in this world. Pope was not just a leader of the Christian faith, but he was a world leader.'

The pope died of a stroke followed by heart failure on Monday at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. His death was also affected by other ailments, including a 'previous episode of acute respiratory failure,' arterial hypertension and type II diabetes, Vatican's press office said in a statement.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on February 28, 2013, a papal conclave elected Cardinal Bergoglio as his successor on March 13. He chose Francis as his papal name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi.

There will now be a nine-day period of official mourning, after which the Cardinals will go into conclave to elect the new Vicar of Christ. After the mourning period, the Cardinals will be called into Conclave to elect the next Vicar of Christ.

' His contributions will transcend borders and generations. His Holiness, Pope Francis, was a messenger of peace, love and compassion...So certainly that legacy of love, compassion that transcends religions is actually something that we're going to cherish for the rest of our lives...'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the death of Pope Francis, stating that the Pontiff's 'affection for the people of India will always be cherished.'

'Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world. From a young age, he devoted himself towards realising the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope,' PM Modi said on X.

A three-day State Mourning as a mark of respect following the passing of Pope Francis has been declared in India, according to an official notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The mourning will be observed across the country on April 22 and 23, and again on the day of the Pope's funeral. (ANI)