Tehran, IRNA – Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf expressed deep condolences following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at 88. Qalibaf praised the Pope’s legacy as an advocate for peace and humanitarian reforms, emphasizing his commitment to promoting interreligious dialogue and condemning violence, particularly regarding Israeli actions in Gaza. Ayatollah Alireza Arafi also extended condolences, recognizing the Pope’s influence on global peace and coexistence. The Vatican announced Pope Francis’s death on Monday; he had been struggling with respiratory issues in recent years. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, he became pope in 2013, succeeding Pope Benedict XVI.