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Faith leaders nationwide have offered their thoughts and condolences to Fox News Digital as people around the globe grieve the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at 88 on Monday, April 21.
Pope Francis led the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years and was the first Jesuit pope. His funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26.
Alex McFarland, Ph.D., an expert in youth, religion, and culture, and author of over 20 books, commented to Fox News Digital on Monday, “Christians everywhere, regardless of denomination, should express loving condolences and prayers for Catholic believers mourning Pope Francis. Our faith in the Triune God and in Christ, the Son, unites us (I John 5:1), along with many other fundamental truths of Christianity. Let’s come together in prayer for the Catholic Church to be guided by God’s Holy Spirit and His Word during this time.”
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McFarland serves as the director of worldview at Charis Bible College in Woodland Park, Colorado, and co-hosts the “Truth and Liberty” television broadcast, which is aired live on over 200 stations of the American Family Radio Network.
Rev. Samuel Rodriguez from Sacramento, California, expressed, “We grieve the loss of Pope Francis, a visionary figure in faith and a dedicated advocate for the marginalized. His life served as a beacon of hope — the hope that the Church can light the way in an increasingly dark world. Now, more than ever, this message is crucial. We have lost one of its most unwavering supporters.”
Pope Francis is depicted greeting cardinals as he unexpectedly appears during the Palm Sunday Mass in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican on April 13, 2025. He passed away on Monday morning, April 21, 2025, at 88 years old.
(Yara Nardi/Reuters)
Other faith leaders have also shared their thoughts with Fox News Digital.
‘Recognized for his humility’
Pastor Wendell Vinson, co-founder of CityServe based in Bakersfield, California, stated, “We join the Catholic Church and people of faith worldwide in grieving the loss of Pope Francis. A man celebrated for his humility and compassion, he exemplified a life of service to those often overlooked by society.
“This same spirit fueled his efforts on behalf of those persecuted and oppressed globally.”
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He further noted, “Pope Francis’ legacy serves as a reminder of the vital need for collaboration between faith communities, demonstrating that together we can achieve more good.”
‘Got him into trouble’
Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, remarked to Fox News Digital, “Catholics worldwide are mourning Pope Francis. He touched the lives of millions, including not only Catholics but also non-believers. When Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio became Pope Francis, his down-to-earth manner garnered praise from both Catholics and non-Catholics alike. His spontaneous way of speaking made him feel authentic and approachable.”
“No one criticized him for not speaking from the heart.”
Donohue went on to say, “However, this genuine approach sometimes led to misunderstandings, particularly during press conferences on the papal plane after foreign trips. Following these discussions, the Vatican’s press team often had to clarify his remarks. But he was never criticized for his sincerity.”
He continued, “Unfortunately, the conclusion of his papacy faced challenges. His endorsement of a Vatican document permitting priests to bless same-sex couples sparked significant backlash, undermining much of the goodwill he cultivated. For the most part, the media treated Francis kindly.”
Donohue added, “The pope’s firm stance on protecting the unborn and his rejection of gender ideology resonated with conservative Catholics. Yet, many were disappointed when he avoided addressing questions about his apostolic exhortation, ‘Amoris Laetitia’; numerous prominent bishops sought clarification on various doctrinal issues.
“The Holy Father was notably more critical of conservative bishops than their liberal peers.”
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He concluded, “Moreover, his frequent critiques of traditionalists, especially those who favor the Latin Mass, lacked subtlety.”
Donohue emphasized that “Pope Francis left a significant mark on the Church, akin to that of John Paul II and Benedict XVI. It remains uncertain if his successor will align more closely with his views or those of previous popes. May he rest in peace.”
‘Pray for his soul’
Pastor Jesse Bradley from Grace Community Church near Seattle reflected, “The Bible instructs us to pray for our leaders. We should pray for Pope Francis and his soul. The ultimate aim is to hear, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant’ from Jesus. God calls all of us to spread His light in a dark world.”
Pope Francis speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the Vatican, January 24, 2023.
(AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Bradley added, “Pope Francis had a deep appreciation for creation and a compassionate heart. His leadership was evident in his prayers during the pandemic, even when Saint Peter’s Square was empty. His passing follows Easter, serving as a clear reminder of Jesus as the resurrection and the life. Death does not signify the end of the journey — because Jesus is victorious, and the grave is empty.”
He continued, “If the pope had a message for today, it would be that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life — and no one reaches the Father except through Him (John 14:6), and that God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).”
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Bradley concluded, “The pope dedicated his life to serving God, and we can now turn to Jesus with all our hearts. There’s no greater decision than to follow Jesus, both now and forever. Grace is an unmerited gift, heaven is a reality, and Jesus died for our sins. As we mourn, let us find comfort in these eternal truths and unwavering hope.”
‘Grateful for his service’
Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern (ICC) and an expert on global religious persecution, shared, “As an evangelical leader, I reflect on Pope Francis’ passing with appreciation for his service and his compassion for the impoverished. His leadership inspires us to renew our commitment in the Catholic Church to upholding the authority of the Bible as essential to faith and practice.”
King added, “Despite our theological differences, evangelicals and Catholics unite in proclaiming Jesus Christ as the only hope for the world. As the Catholic Church goes through this transition, we pray for revitalization and a common dedication to honoring Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life.”
King, also the author of “The Whisper,”
A 30-day devotional highlights spiritual insights “from the prisons of the persecuted.”
‘Remembered for his outreach’
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, who leads the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, remarked, “Pope Francis will be remembered for his efforts to reach out to those on the fringes of both the Church and society. He urged us to spread the Gospel to every corner of the world and to extend divine mercy to everyone.”
“He has used the current Jubilee to inspire us toward a deep hope — a hope that is not just superficial or naive, but one that is grounded in the promise of Almighty God, assuring us of His constant presence.”
‘Dream was for the church to become a field hospital’
Archbishop Joseph D’Souza from India shared with Fox News Digital that “Pope Francis served as a unifying voice and fostered understanding among different faiths during a time of rising division. I stand with the Catholic Church in mourning his passing. His legacy serves as a reminder that our ministry should extend beyond just our faith community. It should embrace everyone.”
“Many will rush to evaluate his legacy, but such actions are premature and potentially harmful. We are still reflecting on previous papacies, let alone the overall impact of Vatican II.” (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
“Pope Francis advocated for the dignity of every individual, irrespective of their societal status or belief system. His vision was for the church to act as a field hospital — and it’s up to us to help actualize that vision for the benefit of humanity. Throughout his time as pope, he exemplified humility and a bold commitment to those in need, following the esteemed tradition of his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi.”
‘His election was historic’
In a guest commentary for Fox News Digital, Rev. Robert Sirico stated, “One consensus regarding Pope Francis’ papacy is that it was marked by disruption and ambiguity on various fronts. Many will hastily judge his legacy, but this is both premature and damaging.
“We continue to evaluate past papacies — not to mention the broader impact of Vatican II — and how they affect the Church’s journey.”
Pope Francis greets Hungarian pilgrims during an audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican on April 25, 2024. (Fillipo Monteforte/AFP via Getty)
He also mentioned, “As the first pope hailing from the Americas, despite his Italian immigrant roots, his election was indeed historic. It’s quite possible, although unlikely, that the next conclave could lead to the election of the first African pope in modern history, particularly given the Church’s vibrant expansion on that continent.”
Sirico is the author of “The Economics of the Parables” and “Defending the Free Market: The Moral Case for a Free Economy.” He is also a co-founder and president emeritus of the Acton Institute.
