First on FOX: Faith leaders across the country share their reactions and insights with Fox News Digital to mourn the loss of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday, April 21st, at the age of 88.
Francis served as Pontiff for 12 years. He was the first Jesuit to serve as the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
Dr. Alex McFarland, an expert in youth, religion and culture, is the author of over 20 books. He told Fox News Digital on Monday morning:
Five Ways Pope Francis Influenced the Catholic Church
McFarland is the World View Director at Challis Bible College in Woodland Park, Colorado, and co-hosts the “Truth and Freedom” TV broadcast. He listens to live shows every day at more than 200 stations on the American Family Radio Network.
There are also thoughts from other faith leaders here.
Pope Francis unexpectedly appeared at Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican on April 13, 2025, thus showing a cardinal greeting. He passed away on April 21, 2025 at the age of 88. (Yara Nardi/Reuters)
“He is known for his humility.”
“We’ve been working hard to get into the world,” said Rev. Wendelvinson, co-founder of CityServe and based in Bakersfield, California, told Fox News Digital.
“This same spirit characterized his work on behalf of persecuted and oppressed people all over the world.”
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He added, “Pope Francis’ legacy reminds us of the important importance of cooperation between faith groups and that we can achieve better things when we work together.”
“It got him into trouble.”
Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, shared with Fox News Digital. “Catholics around the world are mourning Pope Francis’ death. He touched millions of faithful people, including non-Catholics and non-believers. The unscripted, often spontaneous way of speaking made him very authentic and attractive.”
“I criticized no one for talking to him wholeheartedly.”
Donohue said, “I got him into trouble, especially when I was on a Pope’s plane and talking to reporters after a trip abroad. Often, following chats with journalists, the Vatican press squad had to make clear what he meant.
“Unfortunately, his Pope’s end was awkward. The approval of Vatican documents allowing priests to congratulate same-sex couples has been met with widespread criticism.
Donohue also said, “His condemnation of the Pope’s strong defense against the rights of the unborn child and gender ideology often sat with conservative Catholics. However, when he rejected questions about his apostolic urges, they were not happy.
“The Holy Father was clearly more critical of the bishop, who he was more conservative than their liberal counterpart.”
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He added, “More importantly, his attacks on traditionalists, especially those who supported Latin Mass, were frequent and lacked nuance.”
Donohue also commented on Fox News Digital, “Pope Francis has marked the church in the same way as John Paul II and Benedict XVI. It remains to be seen whether his successor hangs more closely and closely on his attitude than his predecessor.
“Pray for his soul”
Pastor Jesse Bradley of Grace Community Church, a suburb of Seattle, Washington, commented on Fox News Digital. “It is clear that the Bible needs to pray for leaders. You can pray for Pope Francis.
Pope Francis will speak in an interview with the Vatican Associated Press on Tuesday, January 24th, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medicini)
Bradley said, “Pope Francis was grateful for his creation and had a heart of compassion. His leadership included prayers during the pandemic, even when St. Peter’s Square was empty.
He also said, “Our invitation from the Lord is for all. If the Pope had a message today, then Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. And with the exception of God, he will not come to the Father except Father 3:16.”
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Bradley continued. “The Pope dedicated his life in his service to God. We can now rely on Jesus for everything in our hearts. There is no greater decision than following Jesus every day or forever. Grace is an undesirable gift, and heaven has died for our sins.
“Thank you for his service.”
“As an evangelical leader, I look back at Pope Francis’ death in gratitude for his service and heart to the poor,” Jeff King, president of International Christian Concerns and a leading expert on religious persecution around the world, told Fox News Digital.
King said, “In spite of our theological differences, evangelicals and Catholics are united in declaring Jesus Christ as the world’s only hope. As the Catholic Church overcomes this transition, we pray for a common dedication to raising Jesus the way, truth, and life.”
King is also the author of “Whisper,” a 30-day prayer that reveals spiritual lessons “from the persecuted prison.”
“I remembered it from his outreach.”
Archbishop Timothy P. Bloglio, president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops, said, “Pope Francis will be remembered for a long time for his outreach to those on the ties of the Church and society. He has renewed his mission to draw the gospel to the edge of the earth for us and provide mercy.
“He also used the current Jubilee to call us into deep hope. It is neither empty nor simple hope, but it is based on the promise that Almighty God will be with us.”
“My dream was to make the church a field hospital.”
India-based Archbishop Joseph Douza told Fox News Digital:
“Many people are rushing to assess his legacy, but this is premature if not harmful. After all, we are still evaluating past Popes. Don’t worry about the wider legacy of Vatican II.” (AP Photo/Andrew Medicini)
“Pope Francis defended the dignity of all humankind, regardless of their social status or tradition of faith. His dream was for the church to become a field hospital, and it is our responsibility to see that the dreams have come true for the good of mankind.
“His election was historic.”
Rev with original Opened by Fox News Digital. Robert Sirico wrote: And their meaning for the life of the church. ”
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He added, in part, “His election as the first American pope, although it is a parent-child relationship with Italian immigrants. Impossibly, the next Conclave could lead to the first African pope since ancient times, but could lead to the first African pope, especially given the dynamic growth of the church on the continent.”
Sirico is the author of “The Economics of Parables” and “The Advocacy of Free Markets: The Moral Case of Free Economy.” He is the co-founder and president of the Acton Institute.
