My heart is heavy at the death of our brother in Christ, Pope Francis. Throughout his life and ministry, he has been a witness for the Gospel and a champion for the poor and marginalized. Especially in this season, I give thanks for his powerful advocacy on behalf of migrants and refugees. Pope Francis, who was the first Latin American pope, understood these siblings in Christ are never at the edges, fearful and alone. As he once wrote, “In the faces of the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, strangers and prisoners, we are called to see the face of Christ who pleads with us to help.” 
 
In 12 years as the Roman Catholic pontiff, Pope Francis transformed our theology of the environment and recognized the need for LGBTQ+ people to feel heard, seen, and included in their church. We are likewise grateful for his emphasis on reconciliation and ecumenical dialogue, in which our church has participated through the Anglican-Roman Catholic Theological Consultation in the United States of America. 
 
I thank God for the life of Pope Francis, and ask you to pray for him, for all who loved him, and for our Roman Catholic siblings in Christ. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.