Johannesburg: Anti-apartheid icon and Nobel laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, aged 90, passed away on Sunday, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa said on Twitter. 

Tutu was widely popular among South Africa's black majority and was internationally praised for his anti-apartheid activism, receiving a range of awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize. He also compiled several books of his speeches and sermons.

Cyril Ramaphosa said  in a tweet, "Desmond Tutu was a patriot without equal; a leader of principle and pragmatism who gave meaning to the biblical insight that faith without works is dead. We pray that Archbishop Tutu’s soul will rest in peace but that his spirit will stand sentry over the future of our nation."

"The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is another chapter of bereavement in our nation’s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa."

Desmond Tutu was a patriot without equal; a leader of principle and pragmatism who gave meaning to the biblical insight that faith without works is dead. We pray that Archbishop Tutu’s soul will rest in peace but that his spirit will stand sentry over the future of our nation. pic.twitter.com/ULGzhOOn9E

— Cyril Ramaphosa

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his condolence message said, "Deeply saddened" on the demise of Archbishop Desmond Tutu " He was a guiding light for countless people globally. His emphasis on human dignity and equality will be forever remembered."