Desmond Tutu 'an inspiration to generations' - UN head

South Africa's Desmond Tutu, Archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize laureate during a press conference at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland 2006. Photo / AP

Reactions to the death Sunday of Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former Archbishop of Cape Town Desmond Tutu:

"Archbishop Tutu was a towering global figure for peace and an inspiration to generations across the world. During the darkest days of apartheid, he was a shining beacon for social justice, freedom and non-violent resistance. ... Although Archbishop Tutu's passing leaves a huge void on the global stage, and in our hearts, we will be forever inspired by his example to continue the fight for a better world for all." — UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

"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. He never lost his impish sense of humour and willingness to find humanity in his adversaries, and Michelle and I will miss him dearly." — Former US President Barack Obama.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II emerges from St. George's Cathedral with Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the end of a service to commemorate Human Rights Day, in Cape Town in 1995. Photo / AP

"I remember with fondness my meetings with him and his great warmth and humour," the tweet from the Queen on The Royal Family site said. "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."

"The death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu (always known as Arch) is news that we receive with profound sadness — but also with profound gratitude as we reflect upon his life. ... Arch's love transformed the lives of politicians and priests, township dwellers and world leaders. The world is different because of this man." — Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

"Indeed the big baobab tree has fallen. South Africa and the mass democratic movement has lost a tower of moral conscience and an epitome of wisdom." — The African National Congress, South Africa's ruling party.

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, holding their son Archie, meet Anglican Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu, and his wife Leah in Cape Town, South Africa 2019. Photo / AP

"The friendship and the spiritual bond between us was something we cherished. Archbishop Desmond Tutu was entirely dedicated to serving his brothers and sisters for the greater common good. He was a true humanitarian and a committed advocate of human rights." — the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader.

"I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He was a critical figure in the fight against apartheid and in the struggle to create a new South Africa — and will be remembered for his spiritual leadership and irrepressible good humour." — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

"No words better exemplify his ministry than the three he contributed to a work of art at The Carter Center: love, freedom, and compassion. He lived his values in the long struggle to end apartheid in South Africa, in his leadership of the national campaign for truth and reconciliation, and in his role as a global citizen. His warmth and compassion offered us a spiritual message that is eternal." — former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

"He was never afraid to call out human rights violators no matter who they were and his legacy must be honoured by continuing his work to ensure equality for all." — Amnesty International South Africa Executive Director Shenilla Mohamed.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela, right, reacts with Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in 2008. Photo / AP

"The loss of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu is immeasurable. He was larger than life, and for so many in South Africa and around the world his life has been a blessing. His contributions to struggles against injustice, locally and globally, are matched only by the depth of his thinking about the making of liberatory futures for human societies." — The Nelson Mandela Foundation.

"I'm saddened to learn of the death of global sage, human rights leader, and powerful pilgrim on earth. ... A great, influential elder is now an eternal, witnessing ancestor. And we are better because he was here." — Dr Bernice King, youngest daughter of the Rev Martin Luther King Jr.

"We are all devastated at the loss of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Elders would not be who they are today without his passion, commitment and keen moral compass. He inspired me to be a 'prisoner of hope', in his inimitable phrase. 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." — Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and chair of The Elders, an independent group of world leaders and human rights activists.

People take photos at a statue of Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo / AP

Tutu's passing "closes an important chapter in Africa's long and painful struggle for justice, liberty and democracy and the continent's current efforts to create prosperity and stand find its competitive edge in the rest of the world. For South Africans, it is a major reckoning with the reality that one-by-one, its heroic liberators are leaving". — Raila Odinga, Kenya's former prime minister and opposition leader.

"His legacy is moral strength, moral courage and clarity. He felt with the people. In public and alone, he cried because he felt people's pain. And he laughed — no, not just laughed, he cackled with delight — when he shared their joy." — Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba.

"His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and he offers heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Mindful of his service to the Gospel through the promotion of racial equality and reconciliation in his native South Africa, His Holiness commends his soul to the loving mercy of Almighty God." — Telegram sent by the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

"A powerful and courageous voice for nonviolence, reconciliation and peace. He will be very much missed in our troubled world. May he Rest In Peace." — Egypt's former vice-president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mohamed ElBaradei.

"Through his distinguished work over the years as a cleric, freedom fighter and peacemaker, Archbishop Tutu inspired a generation of African leaders who embraced his non-violent approaches in the liberation struggle." — Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Tutu's death was "a loss for justice, truth and peace in the world. ... He loved Palestine and Palestine loved him". — Mohammed Shtayyeh, prime minister of the Western-backed Palestinian Authority.