Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, paid a heartfelt tribute to Pope Francis, describing his loss with these words: “A voice proclaiming the innate dignity of every human being, especially the poor and marginalised, is now silent.”
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, reflected on the Pope’s legacy, remembering him as a “holy man of God” who was “also very human.” He continued: “Francis’s entire life and ministry revolved around Jesus, who came among us not to be served, but to serve.
“We saw this powerfully in his service to the poor, his love for his neighbours, especially the displaced, migrants, and asylum seekers, his deep compassion for the well-being of the earth, and his desire to lead the Church in new and innovative ways.”
Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, shared his sorrow, saying: “It is with deep personal sadness that I mourn the death of my friend, His Holiness Pope Francis.
“Alongside our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters, the global Church, and many others around the world, I feel an immense sense of loss. Pope Francis’s leadership resonated far beyond the Catholic Church and had a profound impact on the Anglican Communion.”
Political leader Sir Keir Starmer also expressed his respect, noting that Pope Francis’s passing serves as a reminder of “his call to care for one another across different faiths, backgrounds, nations, and beliefs.”
Tributes poured in from the entertainment world as well. Actress Whoopi Goldberg, who had met the Pope in 2023 and 2024, described him as a beacon of “humanity and laughter.”
On Instagram, she wrote: “He was the closest in a long time to someone who remembered that Christ’s love embraced both believers and non-believers. He reminded me of Pope John XXIII, who made faith feel real. Sail on, Pope Francis, with your love of humanity and laughter.”
