A statement on the death of His Holiness Pope Francis

Even to the final days of his long life, by his actions and his words, Pope Francis continued to set forth the gospel of God’s love in Christ. He spoke plainly of the hope that is to be found in Jesus Christ, showed profound compassion for those who are poor and marginalised, and gave particular emphasis to God’s demand for global justice. Through his papacy, Francis has fostered an openness to Christians sharing together in the Church’s life and mission, in ways which have broken new ground for the Catholic Church. In all these ways, for many Methodists Pope Francis’s witness to the Christian faith holds a special resonance, and his loss is deeply felt.

Methodists join in these days in prayer and sympathy with our Catholic sisters and brothers, who have lost their Holy Father, recognising the pain that this brings. Methodists will also offer prayers in the days ahead for the Catholic Church, as she navigates this period.

As God receives Pope Francis into God’s arms of love, we pray that he may rest in peace and rise in glory.

The Revd Matthew Laferty, Director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office in Rome, 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.

The Revd Ruth Gee, former President of the Methodist Conference and current Co-Chair of the British Methodist-Roman Catholic Dialogue Commission, shares the following reflection:

When Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Pope on 13 March 2013 he chose Francis as his Papal name. This was a clear indication of the emphases on service of people living in poverty, humility, and concern for creation, that would characterise his papacy.

There was a further indication of these emphases on his first appearance as Pope on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica. He wore a simple white cassock and the iron pectoral cross he had worn as archbishop.

In the years following his election Pope Francis wrote and spoke about the Christian vocation to serve. He challenged world leaders when they did not recognise the obligation to serve others, to welcome and protect refugees, and to protect the environment.

These among many characteristics of his papacy endeared Pope Francis to people around the world including those of other Christian churches and other faiths. His commitment to ecumenism and to interreligious dialogue has been evident, not least in the good relationship with the Methodist Ecumenical Office in Rome (MEOR). Pope Francis has often been pictured talking and laughing with the Revd Matthew Laferty, Director of MEOR, representing the world-wide Methodist Church on official occasions in the Vatican.

There are many reasons to thank God for the ministry of Pope Francis, not because he has been perfect, but because he has seen himself as a servant of God and a servant of those with whom he has sought to share God’s love.

The humility which was evident in his inauguration will also be evident in his funeral which has been simplified at his request. Pope Francis will be buried in a simple wooden casket in a location outside the Vatican.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

A prayer

Almighty God,
we thank you that you continue to call disciples to represent you on earth.
We recognise this call in the life, faith and ministry of Pope Francis.
We give thanks for the unique gifts with which you blessed him for this task, and for his obedience in fulfilling all that you asked of him.
Thank you for receiving Francis into the eternal home that you have been preparing for him.
We pray that all who mourn his loss will be comforted and for the Conclave that will elect his successor.
We hold before you the Roman Catholic Church and pray that we might continue to work together for the unity of your Church and for peace, justice and compassion in your world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.