Statements on the passing of Pope Francis

Laudato Si’ Movement’s secretariat, members, and friends celebrate the life of Pope Francis. Together, we pray that his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, may rest in peace.

Pope Francis’s passing comes during the 10th anniversary of his encyclical Laudato Si’, and the signs of his legacy are all around us. He transformed our understanding of our relationships with each other, creation, and our Creator.

Church leaders from around the world join Laudato Si’ Movement and the faithful in celebrating Pope Francis’s life and leadership. 

Bishop Allwyn D’Silva, Chairman of the Office of Human Development, Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, said “Long before Pope Francis, activists at the grassroots recognised that environmental problems and climate change affected the poor most, and that they are the hardest hit. However, it took a spiritual leader of Pope Francis’ statue to give a tremendous boost to integral ecology. In Laudato Si’ the Holy Father has elucidated the concept beautifully. He did not use high theological terms or scientific jargon to describe integral ecology. Rather, he simply stated that the cry of the earth is the cry of the poor, and thus holistic solutions are needed.”

Bishop Serverus Jjumba, Bishop of the Diocese of Masaka, Uganda, said: “Pope Francis chose to exceptionally promote integral ecology when he published, for the first time in  the history of the Church, teaching on stewardship consolidated in one single document titled ‘Laudato Si’. The document was issued as an encyclical–a very high level of doctrinal authority. It was also crafted to be a document for all faiths and cultures, another vital ingredient that built synergies across the board to solve the climate crisis, an issue that must truly be everyone’s concern.”

Bishop John Keenan, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said: “We thank God for the Pope’s service which was always human and humble in its informal style and with a message of God’s universal love and unconditional mercy that brought hope to so many. A man of the poor who lived simply, Pope Francis was a voice for the voiceless and all those who find themselves on the margins in our world. A man of peace, he called the Church to listen to everyone, to move forward together as a family, to find a conciliatory approach to those of different beliefs and lifestyles, for an end to conflicts across the world and for the care of Creation as God’s precious gift to humanity.” 

Monsignor Eric de Moulins-Beaufort, President of the French Bishops’ Conference, said“Laudato Si’, published in June 2015 just before COP21 in Paris, was a tremendous catalyst for Catholic engagement, both worldwide and particularly in Paris in the lead-up to the COP. Many initiatives that were being prepared suddenly found an echo in parishes, were joined by enthusiastic volunteers, and gained credibility. As Auxiliary Bishop of Paris, I was a joyful witness to this.”

 Bishop Joseph Jude Tyson, Diocese of Yakima, United States, said “How appropriate that Pope Francis died as Easter season begins. The very season of spring serves as a backdrop for the renewal of creation initiated by Easter. In his teaching and hai preaching Pope Francis leaves a legacy on our care for creation. More than most any other public figure, Pope Francis drew connections between our degradation of the environment, the migration crisis and global poverty. His passing at the beginning of Easter reminds us of Christ’s resurrection and ascension mission to renew the earth by following the teachings of Jesus and the witness of Saint Francis of Assisi. We will all sorely miss his voice on the world stage.”

Bishop John Stowe, Diocese of Lexington, United States, said “Our Easter rejoicing is tinged with a bit of sadness as we say farewell to our beloved Pope Francis.  Our first Jesuit pope was divinely inspired to take the name of the poor man of Assisi, Francis, the patron saint of ecology.   He certainly conveyed the spirit of Saint Francis in his powerful encyclicals “Laudato Si” and “Fratelli Tutti” as well as with all of his gestures and witness of closeness to the poor and the marginalized.  With his characteristic joy, Pope Francis led us to take seriously the condition of our sister, mother earth, our common home and called us to conversion from our practices of exploiting and abusing the precious gift of God.  He showed us how everything is interconnected and inspired us to work for greater fraternity within the human family and with all creation.  He will continue to inspire us for years to come.”

 

Laudato Si’ Movement’s current and past executive directors reflect on the role that Pope Francis has played in their lives. 

Lorna Gold, executive director, said, “As the spiritual leader who guided our Church for 12 years, Pope Francis breathed new life into centuries of Catholic teaching. As the man who inspired me and our movement, his warmth, humility, and commitment to the common good showed us a new way forward.

He sparked a sense of new hope and beginnings for many, so it’s fitting that Pope Francis passed into eternal rest during Easter, when we celebrate the renewal of all life. We pray thanks for the gift of Pope Francis and for sharing in his precious few moments on Earth.”

Tomás Insua, founding executive director, said As the first pope from the Global South, Pope Francis brought a profound sense of global solidarity to Rome. As the first pope named after Saint Francis of Assisi, he underscored how ‘the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor’ are one interconnected cry. 

As we mourn the passing of the Pope of the Peripheries, the inspiration and spiritual guide of the Laudato Si’ Movement, let us recommit to singing ‘Laudato Si’ and praising our Creator even more earnestly. As we prepare to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’ next month, let us honor Francis’ legacy with even more decisive action to heal our broken common home.”

Secular leaders from around the world have been touched by Pope Francis’ vision. 

Mark Campanale, founder and director of Carbon Tracker, said: “Pope Francis’s legacy goes far beyond the body of the Catholic Church. As a visionary leader, he sparked lasting momentum for a just transition away from fossil fuels and towards lasting sources of renewable energy. Although we’ve lost a great leader, the seeds of an ethical vision for this planet, our common home, will continue to bear fruit in the years to come.”

Tzeporah Berman, founder and chair of the steering committee of the Fossil Fuel Nonproliferation Treaty, said: “There is no doubt that Pope Francis made a huge impact on progress towards a future without fossil fuels. His moral authority stands in stark contrast to governments that want to put their heads in the sand and pretend that climate change isn’t happening. His leadership has shed new light on the climate crisis that affects us all.”

Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org and Third Act, said: “Pope Francis–informed by science and scripture–understood many things deeply, one of them solar energy. Under his leadership, he moved to make sure Vatican City will soon be the only nation on earth powered entirely by the sun, and he did it in a letter (Fratello Sole) that makes specific reference to his namesake in Assisi and his Canticle of the Sun. The world has lost a great champion, but he left a light shining!”

Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and founder of Project Dandelion, said: “I met with Pope Francis on several occasions, and among many qualities, I respected his leadership on climate justice. Pope Francis reminded us that the climate crisis is not only an environmental emergency—it is a moral challenge. He spoke out many times about the climate and nature crisis, raising his voice for those least responsible yet most affected: the poor, the marginalised, and future generations. With the courage of his convictions, he called us to care for our common home and to recognise that the fate of the Earth and the fate of humanity are one and the same. His leadership urged a new kind of solidarity—rooted in compassion, justice, and the deep understanding that we are all connected.”

Finally, Laudato Si’ helped launch our movement, which has trained nearly 20,000 community leaders across 140 countries, with 80 local and national chapters bringing the vision of Laudato Si’ to life. 

Together with the universal Church and with all people of good will, we pray:

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.