The death of pope Francis at the age of 88 has prompted tributes from across the Netherlands, with the head of the Roman Catholic Church, cardinal Wim Eijk, praising the late pontiff for his compassion and commitment to people on the margins of society.
“He had a great heart for the vulnerable,” Eijk said. “He made that clear time and again in his writings and through the visits he undertook.”
King Willem-Alexander and queen Máxima said they were “deeply moved” by the pope’s death. “With unshakeable faith in God’s love, he advocated compassion and humanity,” they said in a statement. “Living simply and modestly, he consistently chose the side of the vulnerable and those in need.”
Prime minister Dick Schoof said on social media that pope Francis was “in every way a man of the people”.
“The global Catholic community bids farewell to a leader who recognised and addressed the needs of our time,” Schoof said. “Through his deeply lived simplicity, service and humanity, he was an example to many – including those outside the Catholic Church.”
Justice minister David van Weel met the pope on Sunday during a visit to the Vatican. Writing on social media, he called it “a very special moment” and described the news of his death as “very sad”.
“My thoughts are with everyone affected by his passing,” Van Weel said.
Dutch LGBT+ campaign group COC said the community appreciated Francis’s more accepting approach compared to his predecessors.
“He did not pass judgement on LGBT+ people. He allowed blessings for same-sex couples and baptism for transgender people,” a spokesperson told news agency ANP. “That was deeply appreciated by many in our community.”
Maria van Schaijik, chairwoman of the Dutch Catholic Women’s Network told the NRC that the pope championed greater influence for women within the church. “He said that women should be valued, because they are the ones who carry the Church. The fact that he said that is very significant,” she said.
Women were given a voice in various round-table discussions at the Vatican, she said. “And people genuinely listened, without judgement. That might not sound revolutionary, but by Vatican standards, it really is.”
In recent years, Francis also appointed some more progressive cardinals, she said. “As a result, the proportion of cardinals who are more open-minded has increased.”
Dutch Catholics
The pope, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, had been head of the Catholic church since 2013.
Some 17% of the Dutch identify as Catholics, making them the largest religious group in the Netherlands.
