Washington: President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have expressed their condolences following the death of Desmond Mpilo Tutu, a South African Anglican archbishop, human rights crusader, and Nobel Laureate.

According to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Tutu died on Sunday at the age of 90 in Cape Town, and his passing "is another chapter of mourning in our nation's farewell to a generation of remarkable South Africans."

Tutu's death has drawn condolences from Pope Francis and the Dalai Lama. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that he was "deeply saddened" by the passing of the "towering global figure for peace and justice." Tutu will be remembered for his "spiritual leadership and irrepressible good humor," according to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. 

"We express our heartfelt sympathies to Vice President Joe Biden's wife, Leah, and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren on behalf of the Biden family. And, on behalf of the American people, we express our heartfelt sympathies to the people of South Africa, who have lost one of their most important founding fathers "In a statement released on Sunday, Bidens said.

The Bidens had spent time with Tutu on multiple occasions, according to the White House announcement, and were "heartbroken" when they learned of his death.

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