We join with our Roman Catholic sisters and brothers in mourning the death of Pope Francis.  Bishop Robert writes:

"With the passing of Pope Francis, the world has lost a spiritual leader who was of towering importance on the global stage. He was a champion of the poor, the marginalised and the migrant. He spoke out powerfully on environmental care and climate justice. He was a tireless advocate for peace and against war. He met with leaders of governments and other faiths, visiting places of conflict and countries that had never before received a papal visit including Iraq and Mongolia. 

He chose the name Francis in honour of St. Francis of Assisi who lived a life of service to the poor. He modelled a humble demeanour and a simple lifestyle – for example preferring to travel by public transport or on foot rather than by chauffeured limo, and making Casa Santa Maria rather than the Apostolic Palace his home. As a Jesuit he brought a passion for mission, evangelism and engagement with the world. His commitment to synodality has been a defining element of his papacy. In all of this, Pope Francis has been a spiritual leader for the whole Christian world as well as for the Roman Catholic Church. 

Pope Francis has been a true friend to the Anglican Church and to the Diocese in Europe. I experienced first hand his commitment to working ecumenically. I had the privilege of accompanying him on his visit to All Saints Rome in 2017 for the 200th anniversary of the founding of this Anglican community. He was the first Pontiff to step inside an Anglican church in his own diocese. He modelled warmth and affection and addressed us all with generosity and grace. I have twice been commissioned by Pope Francis to go out in mission with a Roman Catholic partner bishop, more recently at St Paul’s Outside the Walls in 2024. This was a hugely meaningful event and part of my own spiritual journey.

We now join with our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in mourning the death of a great pope and a remarkable Christian leader. As Anglicans, we are sad to lose him but thankful for all that he gave us. May he rest in peace and rise in glory." 

+Robert Gibraltar in Europe

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell has issued the following statement:

‘Let us walk together, work together, pray together.’ These are the words Pope Francis said to me when we met in 2023. They sum up his vision for the church, both the Roman Catholic Church but also ecumenically. 

Francis’s whole life and ministry was centred on Jesus who comes among us not to be served, but to serve. We saw that compellingly in Francis’s service of the poor, his love of neighbour especially the displaced, migrant, the asylum seeker, his deep compassion for the well-being of the earth and his desire to lead and build the church in new ways. Francis showed us how to follow Jesus and encouraged us to go and do likewise.

His encyclicals, writings and teachings, were supported by his deeds and actions. In their humility and focus on those in the margins, those actions, his whole life, was instantly recognisable as those of one who followed Jesus.

Pope Francis was acutely aware of the divisions between our churches and how they stand in the way of seeing Jesus Christ more fully. I remember the powerful work the Pope did with the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland in promoting peacebuilding in South Sudan.

He was a listening Pope whose commitment to the principle and the process of synodality will be a permanent legacy to the Roman Catholic Church and to all of us.

I remember, in the brief times I spent with him, how this holy man of God was also very human. He was witty, lively, good to be with, and the warmth of his personality and interest in others shone out from him.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory."

A prayer from the Church of England

Together we pray:

Father in heaven, we praise your name
for all who have finished this life loving and trusting you,
for the example of their lives,
the life and grace you gave them
and the peace in which they rest.
We praise you today for your servant Francis
and for all that you did through him.
Meet us in our sadness
and fill our hearts with praise and thanksgiving,
for the sake of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ.

Into your hands, O merciful Saviour,
we commend your servant Francis.
Acknowledge, we pray, a sheep of your own fold,
a lamb of your own flock,
a sinner of your own redeeming.
Enfold him in the arms of your mercy,
in the blessed rest of everlasting peace
and in the glorious company of the saints in light.

Amen.

Service of Evening Prayer

There will be an online ‘Service of Evening Prayer across Europe for Pope Francis and all who mourn' led by Bishop Robert on:

Thursday 24th April

at:  1800cet/1700bst

Zoom Link:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81981390710?pwd=wCZSDux1jXCVxk2wxaGORsLCBaCZPQ.1 

All are welcome.