The Rev. Matthew A. Laferty, director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome, issued the following statement on the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, bishop of Rome, on 21 April 2025:
“It is with great sadness that I receive this morning the news of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis.
“Pope Francis was a courageous leader and loving pastor. Rooted in a life of prayer and devotion, he led the Catholic Church with unwavering commitment to loving neighbor and serving the poor and displaced. Pope Francis constantly reminded both the Christian faithful – Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox – and the world to seek Christ in all that we do. His work to renew and reimagine discernment and synodal decision-making in the Catholic Church initiated emerging ecumenical pathways for dialogue and Christian unity. Pope Francis always led with a pastor’s heart and placed encounter and relationships at the center of his ministry.
“I thank God for the life and ministry of Francis, bishop of Rome.
“May God comfort those who grieve Pope Francis’ death, especially our Catholic siblings, as we live in the hope of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“May Francis rest in peace and rise in glory!“
In a statement released by the Methodist Church in Great Britain, Rev. Laferty also said:
“Pope Francis was a man of deep Christian faith, clear conviction, and prayer. His ministry extended beyond the Catholic Church as he sought to pray and work for the unity of all Christians. Pope Francis challenged and inspired Methodists and Catholics to move beyond ecumenical dialogue to be a pilgrim people walking and working together, particularly in care of creation, migration, and human fraternity. He called the Church universal and all the world to live as Jesus Christ—in holiness and in loving the poor and the marginalised.“
Top photo: Pope Francis and leaders of Christian World Communions for the ‘Together” prayer vigil on 30 September 2023. Photo by Synod.va. All rights reserved.
Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome 