President Michael D Higgins has paid tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, saying he will be "forever remembered for his work in drawing global attention to the horrific inequalities of apartheid".
The South African anti-apartheid campaigner "died peacefully" at the Oasis Frail Care Centre in Cape Town this morning, according to a statement on behalf of the Tutu family.
President Higgins said the world has lost "not only a great spiritual leader but a great advocate for an informed, sensitive and caring society, defined by compassion and kindness".
He hailed the archbishop for his "inspirational leadership" and said that he gave "a voice to those most in need" not only in South Africa but throughout the world.
In a statement, the President said: "Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a man of profound wisdom ... he will be forever remembered for his work in drawing global attention to the horrific inequalities of apartheid."
He said Tutu's death will be felt by "all those in Ireland who made themselves part of the anti-apartheid movement. Those Dunne Stores workers who took part in the strike against Apartheid in the 1980s, and to whom he often referred."
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin paid tribute to Tutu as "a tireless campaigner for social justice and reconciliation".
He said the archbishop was "the conscience of South Africa and beyond. His unshakeable faith in humanity brought people together in Northern Ireland too, a vital part of our own peace process."
The Sinn Féin leader, Mary Lou McDonald, commented: "The world has lost a courageous champion of justice and freedom.
"Desmond Tutu confronted the evil of apartheid in his beloved South Africa. He was a defender of human rights and a relentless, outspoken voice for the marginalised worldwide. We will never see his likes again."
Former President Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders human rights group, said: "We are all devastated at the loss of Archbishop Desmond Tutu... 'Arch' was respected around the world for his dedication to justice, equality and freedom.
"Today we mourn his death but affirm our determination to keep his beliefs alive."
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, described Tutu as "an extraordinary man" who made an "incredible contribution to the lives of so many. He remains an inspiration to those resisting injustice and discrimination today".
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said Archbishop Tutu's life had served as an inspiration to people around the world, and praised the influence of his work for freedom, truth and justice on the North’s own peace process.
"He used his platform to help those in need both at home and abroad and we all owe him a great debt of gratitude," he said in a statement.
"He also became a familiar face in Ireland – not just through his work in South Africa, but through his attempts to help in our own peace process in any way possible."
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson noted Tutu's "critical" role in the "struggle to create a new South Africa" and Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere recalled "a great little man who showed the power of reconciliation and forgiveness".
"We are better because he was here," Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King, said.
Former US president Barack Obama said Desmond Tutu was a "moral compass for me and so many others".
Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a mentor, a friend, and a moral compass for me and so many others. A universal spirit, Archbishop Tutu was grounded in the struggle for liberation and justice in his own country, but also concerned with injustice everywhere. pic.twitter.com/qiiwtw8a5B
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 26, 2021
Palestine Liberation Organisation official Wasel Abu Youssef said Tutu was "one of the biggest supporters" of the Palestinian cause.
In a letter to Tutu's daughter Reverend Mpho Tutu, Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said the world had "lost a great man, who lived a truly meaningful life".
Tutu and his long-time friend Nelson Mandela lived for a time on the same street in the South African township of Soweto, making Vilakazi Street the only one in the world to host two Nobel Peace Prize winners.
"His most characteristic quality is his readiness to take unpopular positions without fear," Mandela once said of Tutu. "Such independence of mind is vital to a thriving democracy."
Britain's Queen Elizabeth paid tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu in a message of condolence following his death.
She said: "I am joined by the whole Royal Family in being deeply saddened by the news of the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a man who tirelessly championed human rights in South Africa and across the world.
"I remember with fondness my meetings with him and his great warmth and humour. Archbishop Tutu's loss will be felt by the people of South Africa, and by so many people in Great Britain, Northern Ireland and across the Commonwealth, where he was held in such high affection and esteem."
UN chief hails Tutu as 'inspiration to generations'
South Africa's late Desmond Tutu was an inspiration to generations worldwide and an "unwavering voice for the voiceless," United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said today.
"Archbishop Tutu was a towering global figure for peace and an inspiration to generations across the world," the secretary-general said in a statement, joining a chorus of tributes to the icon whose tireless fight against injustice helped his nation break its shackles of racism.
"During the darkest days of apartheid, he was a shining beacon for social justice, freedom and non-violent resistance," Mr Guterres said.
