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Pope Francis RIP
22nd April 2025
Regional and national Church leaders have responded to the death of His Holiness Pope Francis yesterday.
His Grace the Most Revd Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, said, ‘As the remarkable pontificate of Pope Francis comes to a close all the faithful, Religious and clergy of our Archdiocese join in praying for the repose of his soul. We recall with gratitude the Canonisation of St John Henry Newman, Birmingham’s saint, in 2019 by Pope Francis and the late Holy Father’s appreciation for Cardinal Newman’s teachings on the development of doctrine. The Holy Spirit inspired Pope Francis to lead the Church along the Synodal Pathway in fidelity to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and this will undoubtedly remain an important part of his abiding legacy. We also remember Pope Francis’s many ecumenical and inter-religious initiatives as he prayed and worked for the unity of the Church and of mankind and for the respect due to God’s creation. We pray that the Good Shepherd will now welcome the Successor of Peter into the company of saints. May he rest in peace.’
The Rt Revd Dr Michael Volland, Bishop of Birmingham, said, ‘Together with Christians across the globe we mourn the death of Pope Francis and commend him into Gods loving and merciful care. Pope Francis was a man of great humility and joy; a truly spiritual leader. His highly visible presence among us was an encouragement and inspiration to millions. May he rest in peace and rise in glory!’
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The Revd Steve Faber, Moderator of the West Midlands Synod of the United Reformed Church, said, ‘I have this morning written to the Most Revd Bernard Longley, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham, expressing my sorrow and condolences at the death of Pope Francis. Archbishop Bernard and I shared in the Walk of Witness on Good Friday in the Centre of Birmingham, where we talked about the health of the Pope and of the reforming work he commissioned in the Synodal Process. Please join me in praying for all Roman Catholic people in their time of grief.’
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Solihull-based Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary of Churches Together in England, said, ‘Today we are learning of the passing of Pope Francis. A man who held his office with dignity, yet humility. He was a breath of fresh air. A man who seemed to be in touch with the everyday issues that affected people lives. I remember being at St Peter’s Square for the ecumenical prayer gathering in September 2023 that brought Christians together, signalling the Pope’s desire to listen and value voices beyond those around him. He will be remembered for speaking up for social justice. For being willing to have conversations about social norms that are so often divisive for the church. He is rightly lauded for standing up for climate justice. And it seems fitting that his last public address called for a lasting peace in Gaza. He was a voice from the global south at odds with so much that occupies the headlines today. Of course, he will be sadly mourned by the faithful in the Catholic Church. However, people from across the Christian faith, people of other faiths and none will also feel a deep sense of loss. His Christ-like concern for the last and the least will be his abiding memory. Today we didn’t just lose a Pope, we lost a wonderful human being.’
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Read more responses to the death of Pope Francis by:
- The Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, HERE.
- His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, leader of the Coptic Church in Britain, HERE.
- The United Reformed Church HERE.
- The Methodist Church in Britain HERE.
- The Revd Lynn Green, General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, HERE.
- The Salvation Army HERE.
Pope Francis’s funeral will take place at 9.00am (BST) on Saturday in St Peter’s Square, Rome. The process of electing the new head of the Roman Catholic Church will begin in the next couple of weeks.