Official Statement from the Board of Bishops on the passing of Pope Francis

Posted Wednesday, April 23, 2025 3:00 pm

By The Board of Bishops, The A.M.E. Zion Church

We, the members of the Board of Bishops of The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, wish to express with great sadness the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 years. Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from March 13, 2013, to April 21, 2025.

From the seat of St. Peter, he exercised primacy with humility, true love for humanity, and consistently advocated for peace, love, unity, and justice. He demonstrated strong compassion for the poor and consistently advocated for their well-being across the world. Pope Francis would be remembered for many unique actions upon his election as Pope. He was the first Pope to come from Latin America; the first Pope from the Society of Jesus (the Jesuit Order); the first Pope to choose to live in the Vatican Guest House, outside the Apostolic Palace, being the official papal residence; the first Pope, since Pope Lando (913 – 914), to choose to be named Francis, a name not used by a predecessor.

He introduced a significant shift in the style of leadership of the Catholic Church, in which he made it clear that the “fundamental task of the faithful is not so much to follow rules but to discern what God was calling them to do.” And to the clergy, he steered them away from “clericalism” (which dwells on priestly status and authority) toward an ethic of service. This was because Pope Francis insisted that the Church’s shepherds must have the “smell of the sheep” by always staying close to the people of God. Beyond all these, Pope Francis was apostolic, evangelism-oriented, and called all to a life of holiness and prayer. He will be greatly missed.

Among the final words of the Pope was a thank you to the nurse who had helped him through his recent illness and allowed him to surprise the crowd at St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday with a short tour in the Popemobile.

Though Pope Francis is no longer physically present with us, we will forever remember his legacy in all of Christendom. Rest on, Pope Francis!

Sincerely,

The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Board of Bishops

Bishop U.U. Effiong, President

Bishop Darryl B. Starnes, Senior Bishop

Bishop Eric Leake, Secretary

Bishop W. Darin Moore

Bishop George D. Crenshaw

Bishop Hilliard Dogbe

Bishop Brian R. Thompson, Sr.

Bishop Daran H. Mitchell

Bishop Anthony N. Witherspoon