VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis "was saddened to learn" of former US President Jimmy Carter's death, the Vatican's Secretary of State said Monday.

"The pope offered "heartfelt condolences" while recalling Carter's "firm commitment, motivated by deep Christian faith, to the cause of reconciliation and peace between peoples, the defense of human rights and the welfare of the poor and those in need," Cardinal Pietro Parolin wrote in a message. — Agence France-Presse