Former US president Jimmy Carter dies aged 100.
Heartfelt tributes are pouring in from world leaders celebrating the life and humanitarian achievements of James Earl “Jimmy” Carter Jr, the former US president, who has died aged 100.
Carter, a naval officer, Nobel Peace Prize winner and peanut farm operator who became the 39th president of the United States, died at his home in Plains, Georgia, on Sunday, December 29, according to his son.
He served as president for one term from 1977 to 1981 but is just as well-known for his humanitarian service after leaving Washington, DC, working for Habitat for Humanity and negotiating peace deals.
President-elect Donald Trump said Carter is owed a “debt of gratitude”, while President Joe Biden described Carter as a “dear friend”. Former President Obama and his wife Michelle lauded Carter as “the longest, and most impactful, post-presidency in American history”.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised Carter’s “remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights”, while King Charles III thanked the former president for “promoting peace”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the former president’s “heart stood firmly with us in our ongoing fight for freedom.” Israeli President Isaac Herzog called Carter “courageous and beloved.”
Pope Francis was ‘saddened’ to learn of Carter’s death as he applauded his Christian faith.
Pope Francis was “saddened to learn” of Jimmy Carter’s passing and has offered his “heartfelt condolences” and prayers to those mourning his loss.
According to a statement from the Cardinal Secretary of State of Vatican City, Pietro Parolin, Pope Francis offered “heartfelt condolences” while recalling Carter’s “firm commitment, motivated by deep Christian faith, to the cause of reconciliation and peace between peoples, the defence of human rights and the welfare of the poor and those in need”.
Parolin added: “The Holy Father commends him to the infinite mercies of Almighty God and prays for the consolation of all who mourn his loss.”
What is a national day of mourning?
The last time a Democratic president died was in 1973, when Lyndon Baines Johnson passed away at the age of 64, just a few years after leaving office.
Following Jimmy Carter’s death on Sunday at the age of 100, the nation will now see the first funeral for a Democratic president in more than 50 years. Carter is the longest-living president and had the longest post-presidency after leaving office at 56 in 1980.
Since the death of Johnson, there have been four state funerals for former presidents – Johnson’s in 1973, Ronald Reagan’s in 2004, Gerald Ford’s in 2007 and George HW Bush’s most recently in 2018
Following Jimmy Carter’s death at 100, his funeral will be the first for a Democratic president in more than half a century.
Pope Francis was ‘saddened’ to learn of Carter’s death as he applauded his Christian faith.
Pope Francis was “saddened to learn” of Jimmy Carter’s passing and has offered his “heartfelt condolences” and prayers to those mourning his loss.
According to a statement from the Cardinal Secretary of State of Vatican City, Pietro Parolin, Pope Francis offered “heartfelt condolences” while recalling Carter’s “firm commitment, motivated by deep Christian faith, to the cause of reconciliation and peace between peoples, the defence of human rights and the welfare of the poor and those in need”.
Parolin added: “The Holy Father commends him to the infinite mercies of Almighty God and prays for the consolation of all who mourn his loss.”
