Hill-Lewis on Pope Francis: 'May we be inspired by his life's message and the example of Christ'

CAPE TOWN - As tributes continue to pour in for the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has also conveyed the city's condolences to the city's Catholic community.

Hill-Lewis joined millions across the world in mourning the death of the pontiff, who died at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta on Monday.

The 88-year-old had served more than a decade at the helm after his predecessor Pope Benedict the 16th resigned.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis: "On behalf of the City of Cape Town, I convey my heartfelt condolences to the Catholic community of our city on the sad news of the passing of Pope Francis. Over the 12 years of his papacy, Pope Francis spoke often of the central message of Christianity being of love for one another. In this time of mourning, the loss of his Holiness, the Pope, may we be inspired by his life's message and the example of Christ that he consistently drew our attention to and modelled."