"Figure Who Fought Against Discrimination" South African Archbishop Tutu Passes Away at 90 (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] Desmond Tutu, the honorary archbishop of the Anglican Church who led the struggle to abolish South Africa's apartheid policy and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, passed away on the 26th (local time). He was 90 years old. World leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, expressed their condolences, saying, "His legacy will resonate beyond borders and generations."

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Tutu's passing in a statement that day, calling him "an incomparable patriot and an intellectual who stood against apartheid." The Mandela Foundation also released a statement mourning him, saying, "His life was a blessing not only to South Africa but to people around the world."

Archbishop Tutu received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his anti-apartheid activism. He was also the person who dubbed South Africa the "Rainbow Nation" when the apartheid regime fell and Nelson Mandela became the first black president. After the end of apartheid, he fiercely criticized the ruling party's corruption and raised his voice for LGBTQ rights protection and climate change measures. Since being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1997, he had been battling the illness.

The presidential office honored Archbishop Tutu, saying, "He lived a life that movingly demonstrated the deep meaning of community spirit, reconciliation, and forgiveness." The cause of death was not disclosed.

On the 26th (local time), news broke that Desmond Tutu, the honorary archbishop and a symbolic figure of the human rights movement in South Africa, had passed away. Citizens commemorated him by hanging flowers on the "Wall of Remembrance" set up at St. George's Cathedral in Cape Town. Archbishop Tutu, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his fight against apartheid (racial segregation policy), died at the age of 90 on this day. 2021.12.27 [Image source=Yonhap News]

Condolences have poured in from around the world. Former U.S. President Barack Obama, the first black president of the United States, recalled, "(Archbishop Tutu) was a mentor, friend, and 'moral compass' not only to me but to many others." Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom remembered him as a "tireless human rights advocate."

Pope Francis issued a memorial statement, saying, "He devoted himself to the gospel by achieving racial equality and reconciliation." He added, "Born into poverty and deep-rooted racism, Archbishop Tutu followed his spiritual calling to create a better, freer, and more equal world," and expressed condolences, saying, "His legacy will resonate beyond borders and generations." On the same day, the South African national cricket team wore black armbands during their match against India to mourn Archbishop Tutu's passing.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.