Getty imagesThe Scottish political and religious leaders have paid tribute to Pope Francis after his death at the age of 88.
The Pontiff, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, had recently treated at the Pneumonia Hospital.
His death came a day after he appeared in the Plaza de San Pedro to wish for Happy Easter to thousands of faithful.
Prime Minister John Swinney expressed his “deep sadness” for the announcement of the Vatican.
The SNP leader posted in X: “It was a voice for peace, tolerance and reconciliation in our society. He brought comfort, security and hope to many.
“That you are resting in peace.
Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, said that Pope Francis shared “the mercy and compassion of Christ with all, especially the poor and the vulnerable.”
The Archbishop added: “He called peace on earth: that the living Lord now grants him the peace of eternal rest.”
The Scottish Labor leader, Anas Sarwar, said he was “deeply sad.”
He published in X: “The Holy Father dedicated his life to serving the poor and dispossessed.
“My thoughts are with the Catholic and Catholic communities of Scotland worldwide.”
‘True Fraternity’
Pope Francis was expected to visit Scotland in 2021 for COP26, the UN Climate Conference.
However, he could not attend while recovering from colon surgery in Rome.
In 2017, the Pontiff said that his church enjoyed a relationship of “true fraternity” with the Church of Scotland.
He described the relationship between churches as one of “mutual understanding, trust and cooperation.”
The moderator of the Church of Scotland, the RT Rev Dr. Shaw Paterson, expressed his condolences after the death of the Pope.
He said: “That Francis’s blessed memory is continuous to serve as examples for the faithful people of God in our shared pilgrimage and in our common task to take care of God’s creation.
“Rest in peace”.
