Bishop Budde and Dean Hollerith Give Thanks for the Life of Pope Francis

We join with millions of people around the world in grieving the death of Pope Francis, and we give God thanks for his extraordinary life and the moral leadership that inspired and challenged the world to love as God loves.

Both a moral giant and a humble shepherd, Pope Francis was unwavering in his conviction, rooted in Roman Catholic Social teaching, that no human being is a problem, but rather one cherished by God and deserving of dignity and compassion. His servant leadership was anchored in humility, compassion and genuine love.  

In these challenging times, we take courage from Francis’ final Easter message, delivered just hours before God called him home: “How much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants! On this day, I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas!”

With his inviting smile and a genuine affection for the poor and forgotten, the Holy Father summoned the conscience of the world. He called us to expand God’s generous table of welcome, to care for refugees and the aged, to protect the wonder of creation, and to resist the dangerous allure of fundamentalist tribalism.

As he told U.S. lawmakers in his 2015 visit to Washington, we must resist “the simplistic reductionism which sees only good or evil; or, if you will, the righteous and sinners. The contemporary world … demands that we confront every form of polarization which would divide it in these two camps.” 

As we mourn the loss of his leadership, we praise God for Francis’ life, and we commit ourselves to continue on the path of love.

We hold our Catholic siblings in prayer as the Holy Spirit guides the church in the election of a new pope. 

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Washington 

The Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith
Dean, Washington National Cathedral