"When he sat slumped in prayer, he could look quite bitter, but as soon as he met people, he radiated kindness and empathy", writes Arborelius in a statement after Pope Francis' death.
Arborelius says that the Pope's basic attitude was not to judge anyone and that he emphasized that "we are all siblings - fratelli tutti".
"The Pope clearly saw the need to make religion something that unites and brings people together instead of dividing and creating conflicts", he writes.
As the first Pope from Latin America, Francis faced much resistance and could not or would not be categorized into "European categories", writes Arborelius, who describes him as neither liberal, progressive, conservative, nor traditionalist.
"Even those who stood far from Christian faith sensed that he had something essential to share with people of our time. Many of them mourn him now together with us", he concludes.
Archbishop Martin Modéus receives the news of the Pope's passing with sorrow.
"I will remember his important voice for openness and cooperation in our time. He looked at the world through the eyes of those who are most vulnerable and poorest", writes Modéus.
The Pope passed away on Easter Monday, 88 years old.
