Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday declared a seven-day mourning for Pope Francis in Latin America's biggest country.

"Humanity loses today a voice of respect and welcome for others," Lula said in a statement. "May God comfort those who today, everywhere in the world, suffer the pain of this enormous loss. In his memory and in homage to his work, I decree a seven-day mourning in Brazil."