World leaders mourn on Mandela's death

Several world leaders and celebrities expressed their condolence via social media with the passing of a South Africa’s iconic leader, Nelson Mandela.

Mandela died at the age of 95 at his home in Johannesburg after spending months in the hospital earlier this year after a recurring lung infection.

U.S. President Barack Obama in his Twitter portrayed Mandela as the greatest justice fighter.

President Obama remembers Nelson Mandela: "A man who took history in his hands and bent the arc of the moral universe towards justice."
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 5, 2013

British Prime Minister David Cameron was one of the first to express his grief on Twitter, calling Mandela "a hero of our time."

A great light has gone out in the world. Nelson Mandela was a hero of our time. I've asked for the flag at No10 to be flown at half mast.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) December 5, 2013

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper also wrote in his Twitter:

All of Canada mourns with the family of Nelson Mandela and the citizens of South Africa. The world has lost one of its great moral leaders.
— Stephen Harper (@pmharper) December 5, 2013

Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo said that Mandela as "a man who brought hope, a true hero who will keep inspiring us."

Vandaag nemen we afscheid van een man die hoop bracht, een ware held die ons zal blijven inspireren #NelsonMandela
— Elio Di Rupo (@eliodirupo) December 5, 2013

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton remembers the former leader as Madiba:

Nelson Mandela was a champion for justice & human dignity, with unmatched grace. I'll remember him as Madiba, truly an unconquerable soul.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 6, 2013

Also mourning Mandela death are celebrities who took to Twitter to express their sadness.

Every time Melinda and I met Nelson Mandela, we left more inspired than ever. His grace and courage changed the world. This is a sad day.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) December 5, 2013

"We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right." - the great Nelson Mandela
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) December 5, 2013

Sad to hear about the passing of Nelson Mandela - he was the greatest figure of the 20th century - a fascinating man pic.twitter.com/hsqfltcyO9
— Larry King (@kingsthings) December 5, 2013

Nelson Mandela was the towering moral giant of the 20th and 21st centuries. We will not see the likes of Madiba again for a long, long time.
— Christiane Amanpour (@camanpour) December 5, 2013

One of the great honors of my life was to be invited to Nelson Mandela's home, spend private time and get to know him http://t.co/IfZKtgvlU8
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) December 6, 2013

R.i.p #nelsonmandela a great leader,icon,a world hero http://t.co/xqhEoP3HPO
— apl.de.ap (@apldeap) December 6, 2013

This news was announced by the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma on Thursday.

"Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father," Zuma said