(This update includes statements by Cardinal Wilton Gregory and Cardinal Donald Wuerl, former archbishops of Washington, and by Bishop Roy E. Campbell Jr., auxiliary bishop of Washington.)
Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, archbishop of Washington, issued the following statement after the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025 at the age of 88:
“Today the Church and the world have lost a true shepherd of souls, a beacon of unwavering hope, and a voice of penetrating truth. From the very first moments of his service to the universal Church, Pope Francis enshrined the mercy of God at the heart of his proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In doing so, he illuminated with new depth the pastoral dimension of the Church’s mission, which is rooted first in embracing love rather than in judgment.
“It is this embracing love which led Pope Francis to be a prophetic advocate for the poor and the dispossessed, the unborn and the immigrant, the victims of war and the earth which is our common home. It was this love also that animated his tender personal care for all those whom he encountered personally in their suffering –those who saw their life marked by failure, the sick, those suffering from addictions, the incarcerated, those who had lost their way in life. It was in these intimate moments of pastoral care that we saw with such poignancy the heart of the pastor who had embodied mercy and love to the suffering in Buenos Aires and refused to diminish that commitment even when the strictures of the papacy fell upon him.
“Pope Francis's vision of a synodal Church – the people of God journeying together, nourished by Word and Sacrament, missionary in its outreach, including all and animated by the participation of all, constantly renewing itself in the light of the Gospel – stands as an enduring legacy of Pope Francis in his fidelity to the Second Vatican Council and its call to preach the Gospel in the modern world. It provides a clear foundation for the journey of God’s people in the years which are to come.
“Yesterday we celebrated the victory of Christ over death itself, and the foundation for our conviction that we live on this earth on a journey that leads to eternity and the loving embrace of our God. Pope Francis lived that journey preaching the Gospel and ennobling the world in which we live. Amidst our sadness at this death, we thank God for the penetrating grace that he has brought among us.”
Cardinal Wilton Gregory’s statement
The following statement was released by Cardinal Wilton Gregory, archbishop emeritus of Washington after the after the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025 at the age of 88:
“May Pope Francis be with Christ! We commend his great soul to the Merciful Father of us all. His devoted service to Christ’s Church and to our entire world is a legacy that will endure for ages to come. He presented the compassionate face of a pastor as he exercised the Petrine Office. People felt close to him and therefore closer to our Church. May the Lord reward him for his ministry as Shepherd in the likeness of Jesus.”
Cardinal Donald Wuerl’s statement
Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop emeritus of Washington, issued the following statement on the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025 at the age of 88:
“The death of Pope Francis is a moment of great sadness but also a time of recognition of his enormous impact on the Church and the world by his unceasing and loving pastoral care.
“Pope Francis renewed the Church's vision of witness discipleship that offered to all the blessings of the Gospel and embrace of the mercy and love of God. From his first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter Basilica he challenged all of us to be mindful that we are brothers and sisters who need to walk together as we strive to honor God by our
respect and care for one another and the earth that we share. His message was always one of inclusion and compassion.
“How appropriate that his final words and blessing to the Church and the world would be on Easter Sunday as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord, and can now pray that Pope Francis enter God's kingdom of eternal light and love.”
Bishop Roy E. Campbell’s statement
Washington Auxiliary Bishop Roy E. Campbell issued the following statement on the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025 at the age of 88:
“I was deeply saddened to learn this morning of the death of Pope Francis. He truly served the Church as the Vicar of Christ, reaching out to all peoples in all circumstances with love, compassion and mercy. Let us all pray for the repose of Pope Francis‘s soul and for the Church that he so dearly loved and served so well.”
