Pope Francis met a delegation of 10 bishops from the United States from three different Methodist churches on Wednesday, 6 March 2024, following the weekly General Audience. Each bishop was greeted individually by Pope Francis and had a few moments to speak to him.
The bishops come the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and The United Methodist Church, all members of the World Methodist Council.
Along with the bishops, Director Matthew A. Laferty, Dr. Jean Hawxhurst, and Mrs. Melissa Beard were greeted by Pope Francis as well.
Read more about the bishops’ entire study pilgrimage in a related story (click here).
Photos by Vatican Media. All rights reserved.
The bishops who participated in the study pilgrimage were:
- African Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath, AME ecumenical officer - Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick III of the Eighth Episcopal District (Texas and Jamaica) and senior bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop Teresa Snorton, CME ecumenical and development officer
Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas, Sr. of the First Episcopal District (Arkansas and Tennessee)
Bishop Sylvester Williams, Sr. of the Third Episcopal District (the Midwest) - The United Methodist Church
Bishop Sally Dyck, ecumenical officer of the Council of Bishops
Bishop Tracy Smith Malone of the Ohio East Episcopal Area and incoming president of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Jonathan Holston of the Columbia Episcopal Area (South Carolina)
Bishop Frank Beard of the Illinois Episcopal Area
Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi of the Pittsburgh Episcopal Area
The delegation was also accompanied by Director Matthew A. Laferty, Dr. Jean Hawxhurst, and Mrs. Melissa Beard.
Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome 