April 21, 2025

The Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Most Rev Mark Strange, offers a message of condolence upon the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all in the Roman Catholic Church today as they mourn the death of Pope Francis,” said the Primus.

“His generosity and love for all of God’s Creation and his willingness to be open and approachable allowed him to get close to people, and to love and be loved by so many. The joy on the faces in St Peter’s Square yesterday as he gave the Easter Blessing will be something dearly held as the mourning begins for this remarkable servant of God.

“When the Anglican Primates met in Rome last year, he spent time talking to us, listened to the questions we asked and he answered us. This positive dialogue encouraged us all and we felt able to share with him our thoughts , as he did with us. This was clearly one of his gifts that enabled such conversations to take place between many of the world’s churches.

“May he now Rest in Peace.”

The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Right Reverend Anthony Poggo, also shared a message of condolence on behalf of the Communion.

“His Holiness Pope Francis was a man of great faith, humility, and compassion, who brought to the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome the joy of the Gospel,” said the Secretary General. “I want to express the deep appreciation of the Anglican Communion for the remarkable leadership that Pope Francis has given to the Catholic Church and to the world at large.”

He continued: “In the spirit of ecumenism, Pope Francis has sought to foster greater unity among Christians. His commitment to dialogue, understanding and shared mission has opened new avenues of collaboration between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. We have walked together on the way towards healing the wounds of division and towards the unity that Christ desires for His Church.

“Anglicans are grateful for Pope Francis’ support of the work of the Anglican Centre, Rome, the Anglican–Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC), and the International Anglican–Roman Catholic Commission on Unity and Mission (IARCCUM).

“Anglicans join with millions around the oikoumene, and with all people of goodwill, in giving thanks to God for Pope Francis. We offer our condolences to our sisters and brothers in the Roman Catholic Church. We pray God’s blessing on us all and on all who, like Pope Francis, try to follow Christ in the strength of the Holy Spirit.”