Pope Francis - Memories and Reflections

Easter Monday, 21 April 2025 Pope Francis, who served as Supreme Pontiff from March 2013 has died today aged 88, the Vatican has confirmed.

Here, people of the Archdiocese of Birmingham pay their own tributes.

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Here you can leave a message, prayer, or short reflection as we celebrate his ministry and massive contribution to the Catholic Church as our 266th Pope.

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Bishop David Evans

Homily: Tuesday 22 April. Mass for the Repose of the Soul of Pope Francis

Pope Francis will be remembered for the ways in which he changed the style of the papacy, for the causes he espoused and his development of the structures of the Church. Today though we can remember a smaller but still significant change of his. He raised our liturgical celebration of St Mary Magdalen from a Memoria to a Feast. He reaffirmed St Mary Magdalen’s worthy title of ‘Apostle to the Apostles’. That title is a tribute to the truth entrusted to her by Jesus on his resurrection morning and recorded in today’s Gospel. She expressed the truth in her own words ‘I have seen the Lord’.

Like the other apostles St Mary Magdalen had come to faith gradually, being led from misunderstanding to belief by her discovery of the empty tomb, the question of the angels in the tomb and her clarifying encounter with Jesus newly risen from the dead. Today is a day of questions whose answers led St Mary Magdalen to faith and which support ours too.

They also assist our reflection on the life of Pope Francis. St Mary’s faith began with the grief of death and the anguish of believing that Jesus’s body had been removed from his tomb by his enemies. She was still in this state when she saw Jesus and believed him to be the gardener. It was a natural mistake in the circumstances that also contained the description that Jesus had given of himself as the vine and the vinedresser, or his word as the seed that comes to harvest and of the tree that grows from the mustard seed. ‘Why are you weeping?’ ‘Believing him to be the gardener’ evoke Pope Francis as the one who shared, and urged others to relieve, the grief of those who suffer, whoever they may be and wherever their homes.

Jesus had his question too: ‘Who are you looking for?’ It was his question in another garden to the ones who had come to arrest him. They answered, ‘Jesus of Nazareth’. Pope Francis implicitly asked that question of all who approached him. For Jesus’s question is addressed to everyone, acknowledging that there is in human beings a desire and a quest for the being greater than themselves who shares his life with them and promises them the fulfilment of all their hopes in resurrection joy.

St Mary Magdalen called Jesus ‘gardener’, ‘teacher’ and finally Lord. All these are titles of Jesus, and each may be connected in some way with Pope Francis. The gardener who cultivated the soil in which God’s seed is planted. The teacher, attentive to the Word, who searched the Scriptures and the long tradition of the Church, to show that God’s Word is alive and active, and that God has more in store for us even on earth than we might have expected.

Pope Francis, in the way of all Christians, acknowledged Jesus as Lord. He modelled his own vivid and visible humility on that of Jesus, who humbled himself even to accepting death on a cross. That passage from the Letter of St Paul to the Philippians ends, ‘but God raised him high’. That is God raised Jesus high on the day of his resurrection. Our prayer is that God will do the same for Pope Francis as he did for Jesus and has done for St Mary Magdalen. For her cry is the one we hope Pope Francis and all who have died will utter in and for eternity, ‘I have seen the Lord!

May he see him soon.

Bishop Timothy Menezes

An account of our meeting with Pope Francis at the annual gathering for new bishops, in Rome.

On 19th September 2024, as part of the worldwide gathering in Rome for newly ordained bishops of the past 12 months, Bishop Richard Walker and I were privileged to be present at an audience with Pope Francis for about 150 bishops.

During this encounter, each one of us was given the opportunity to greet Pope Francis personally.

Prior to that, the Pope told the gathering that he did not have a talk prepared but that if anybody wished to ask him a question, he would be happy to answer them.

Thinking that this might be a once in a lifetime opportunity, I joined the short queue of those who wished to speak directly to the Pope.

When my time came, I said:

Pope Francis, I am from Birmingham in England, the home of Cardinal John Henry Newman.

In your document Amoris Laetitia (March 2016 teaching document on the Joy of Love, marriage and family life) you state that if a couple is living together but intends to get married, we should support them. In the eyes of the world, this is not such a big thing, but to write it in a Papal document is a big thing.

You have given us permission to think differently: that most people’s lives are not black and white but somewhere in the middle. Thank you for your ministry of mercy.

Pope Francis responded: everybody must feel welcome, everybody must know they belong. People’s lives are complicated but nobody must ever feel that they are outside the scope of the family of the Church. I have been a priest for 53 years and I have never had the solutions to anybody’s problems. But people must know that there is a place for them in the Church.

Chris Loughran, Trustee

I was very fortunate to be in the Vatican last Summer and to be with a small party that had the privilege of meeting Pope Francis.  

After this morning's news, I shall treasure even more fully the short time we had in his company.  

What did I admire about Pope Francis? His humility - eschewing fancy clothes and what he saw as inappropriate grandeur. His courage in speaking out on many issues and not being afraid of being controversial - his passion for inclusivity and for reminding us that we are all sinners; that the Church is for sinners and that the Eucharist is "not the reward of saints but the bread of sinners". His encouragement to lay people to play a fuller part in the life of the Church.  

Just in these last few days - visiting the Regina Coeli prison last week - his departing words were “Every time I enter a place like this, I ask myself: why them and not me?”  

Pope Francis was truly an inspiration to those of us who try to do our best, often stumble and fall but - with God's help - seek to carry on.

He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered as he takes his place with those that have gone before him, marked with the sign of faith and are now at rest.

Photograph from Chris Loughran:

Julie-Anne Tallon, Director, Catholic Primary Partnership

"The news of Pope Francis’ passing is deeply saddening, marking the loss of a remarkable and humble leader. Having had the privilege of visiting Rome several times, I was fortunate to see him from a distance; standing on his balcony, celebrating Mass, or passing by in the iconic ‘pope-mobile’. Those moments felt special, but nothing compared to meeting him in February 2023.

"I remember my first trip to Rome, where I saw t-shirts printed with ‘I ❤️ Papa Francesco.’ While these t-shirts made me smile, I resisted purchasing one. Yet, something about the affectionate title ‘Papa’ stuck with me; it felt more personal and intimate than the formal ‘Father’ we use for our clergy. It reminded me of the innocence and warmth of calling someone ‘daddy.’ From that moment on, I always thought of him as ‘Papa Francesco'.

"As reports of his declining health surfaced, I was reminded of how it felt when my own father was receiving palliative care. Each message, each phone call, carried a moment of hesitation, do I want to know? Am I ready for the inevitable?

"Meeting Papa Francesco was an indescribable experience. It was a mix of overwhelming excitement and deep inner peace. When I returned home, friends and family would proudly tell others, ‘She met the Pope last week!’ This was always followed by the same question: ‘What was it like?’

"How do you put into words something that felt like the world’s most incredible event, yet simultaneously, the gentlest, most peaceful moment? Seeing him arrive was like the anticipation of a concert’s headline act, yet when he entered, the atmosphere was not of noise and excitement but of stillness and grace. Even as he relied more on his wheelchair, his presence filled the room with a calm, steady peace—one that stayed with you long after you’d left.

"We grieve the loss of a leader who touched so many lives with kindness, humility, and unwavering faith. Papa Francesco, thank you for your example, your service, and your love for all. And well done for saying no to the red shoes! Rest in peace."

Jasmine Roshan, Kenelm Youth Trust

The passing of Pope Francis has been heart-breaking, and it’s led me to hold onto the beautiful memories I have of him even more deeply.

He’s been a guiding light in my life since childhood and his influence truly became significant when I first read Dear Pope Francis—a book filled with letters and questions from children around the world, answered with such compassion, wisdom, and warmth. I was in Year 6 at the time, and I remember being so captivated by the way he spoke to young people with such genuine care. 

That same feeling stayed with me and only grew stronger over the years. Most recently, at World Youth Day, I was overjoyed to catch a glimpse of him passing by us in his Pope mobile several times! It was such a pinch-me moment and I could not believe how close he was!  I was also deeply moved by his words to us as young people—to “shine bright, listen, and not be afraid.” Those words weren’t just inspiring; they were a call to action. They’ve become something I try to live out daily—both in my personal life and through the work I do with the Kenelm Youth Trust and the SVP. His encouraging words continue to push me to be a light for others.

Pope Francis was a living example of Christ’s love—through his compassion and humility. He showed us that to be Christian is to be kind, courageous, and committed to justice and mercy.

I will carry his teachings with me always, and I pray we can all continue the work he so passionately believed in—building a more loving, inclusive, and compassionate world.
Rest in Peace Papa Francesco 🕊️🤍

Millicent Orosun & Dominic Orosun of Sacred Heart, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

May the Soul of Pope Francis rest in the Peace of Christ. His contribution to the Church has been greatly appreciated. He will be dearly remembered.
May the conclave be guided by the Spirit of God in choosing his successor.
God Bless all the Church.

Tracey Pender of Our Lady Help of Christians, Tile Cross, Birmingham

Called now to be in God's House.
Thank you with all our hearts for your Love and Service to humanity. You have held in your hands the vulnerable, the weak, the broken hearted, homeless and those seeking comfort in the love of God.
May you find restfulness and peace in the Lord's hands now Pope Francis. God Bless you now and always.

Yvonne Steele of St Mary's, Harborne

Heavenly Father, 
thank you for sending Pope Francis to be our role model by his care for the poor and for the environment.
Welcome him home with all the unrecognised saints who have gone before him.
Amen.

Birmingham Newman University mourns the passing of Pope Francis

Birmingham Newman University joins with all who are mourning the death of Pope Francis, who has led the Catholic community with humility, discernment and a deep desire to see the flourishing of all, especially those most in need. He was a global beacon of compassion, justice, and humility.

His tireless work on issues such as care for our ‘common home’, poverty reduction, and social justice has left an indelible mark on the world.

Professor Jackie Dunne, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham Newman University said:

“Pope Francis embodied the values we hold dear at Birmingham Newman University. His commitment to social justice, respect for others, and fostering a sense of community resonates deeply with our mission. We are inspired by his dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of individuals and communities, our thoughts and prayers join with our global Catholic community as we mourn his loss.  

"The opportunity to pause and pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis is available in our Chapel and Mass will be celebrated in thanksgiving for all his service will be arranged in the coming week.  

"With the Easter hope in our risen Lord we pray; eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Pope Francis rest in peace."

A statement on the death of Pope Francis from the Anglican Bishop of Lichfield

On learning of the death of Pope Francis, the Rt Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield, has made the following statement.
 
“I have learnt with deep sorrow of the death of Pope Francis. Together with Bishops Sarah, Matthew, Tim and Paul, I give thanks for Pope Francis’s life and ministry as a priest, a bishop and as the Bishop of Rome.
 
"Pope Francis’s attention to the sick, the marginalised and the poor, placing them in the spotlight of Christ’s love will be for me a defining memory of his Pontificate. His embrace of inclusion for those people has been inspirational and exemplary and deserves to be his legacy. He reminded us at all times that God has a heart of mercy, and he showed by his life what mercy looks like in practice. His devotion to his ministry until the end as we have witnessed in the last 24 hours, has underscored this.
 
"I assure our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters of our prayers and sympathy at this time."

Letter to St Chad's Cathedral from The Church of England, Birmingham

To our dear brothers and sisters in Christ at St Chad’s Cathedral,

We write with deep sorrow at the news of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, and to extend to you, and through you to the wider Roman Catholic community in Birmingham, our heartfelt condolences.

Pope Francis has been a profoundly significant shepherd not only to the Roman Catholic Church, but to the whole Christian family and to the world. His humility, courage, and deep compassion have borne powerful witness to the Gospel. He called us all—across traditions and nations—to walk the way of mercy, justice, and peace, and to centre our lives on Christ crucified and risen.

As fellow pilgrims in the Body of Christ, we share in your mourning, and we give thanks for the legacy of love and leadership Pope Francis has left behind. His unwavering commitment to the poor, to creation care, to reconciliation, and to the unity of the Church continues to inspire us.

Please be assured of our prayers for you at St Chad’s and for the wider Roman Catholic Church in this time of grief and transition. May the Holy Spirit comfort and uphold you and may the hope of the resurrection bring peace in the days to come.

“Blessed are those who die in the Lord... they will rest from their labour, for their deeds will follow them” (Revelation 14:13).

With love in Christ,

The Rt Revd Dr Michael Volland
The Bishop of Birmingham

The Rt Revd Esther Prior
The Bishop of Aston

The Methodist members of the British Methodist-Roman Catholic Dialogue Commission

We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Pope Francis earlier today. In his papacy he emphasised the Christian vocation to serve through word and action and challenged all of us, including world leaders, to recognise the obligation to serve others.
 
These, among the 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 his inclusion of ecumenical representatives in the synodality process.
 
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.
 
We assure you of our prayers as you mourn and through the days and weeks of discernment.
 
With our condolences and with resurrection hope in this Easter season,
 
The Revd Ruth M Gee
Co-Chair of the British Methodist-Roman Catholic Dialogue Commission
 
The Revd Neil A Stubbens
Co-Secretary of the British Methodist-Roman Catholic Dialogue Commission