Religious and civic leaders reflect on Pope Francis’ legacy

April 22, 2025 Francesca Norsen Tate

Maronite Bishop Gregory Mansour and Roman Catholic Bishop Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia (center) with Pope Francis during a 2016 visit to Rome with pilgrims from the Catholic University of America. Photo courtesy of Bishop Gregory Mansour

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Religious and civic leaders serving Brooklyn have sent statements expressing their grief over the death of Pope Francis, the world’s first South American and first Jesuit pontiff. The pope, who died on the morning after Easter Sunday — Christianity’s most important and joyful festival — had surprised many by appearing in public at St. Peter’s Square on that day. Francis, who succeeded Pope Benedict XVI in March 2013 while the latter was still living but had resigned the papacy, visited New York City in 2015. The Vatican announced Monday evening that the cause of Francis’ death was “a cerebral stroke, leading to coma and irreversible heart failure.”

Bishop Robert J. Brennan, who leads the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, stated, “On this Easter Monday, as Catholics throughout the world rejoice in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, we now mourn the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. Throughout his historic papacy, Pope Francis served as the leader of the Catholic Church with great humility. The first pope from South America and the first Jesuit pope, Pope Francis will always be remembered for his profound respect for the dignity of all people. Throughout his papacy that spanned 12 years, Pope Francis was committed to efforts to improve the environment, promote unity among people of faith, and make better the lives of the poor and oppressed. As Pope Francis announced this Jubilee Year of the Church, we are called to be ‘Pilgrims of Hope.'”

Pope Francis greets Brooklyn Diocesan Bishop Robert J. Brennan in this September 10, 2024 photo. Photo courtesy Diocese of Brooklyn — Pope Francis greets Brooklyn Diocesan Bishop Robert J. Brennan in this September 10, 2024 photo.
Photo courtesy Diocese of Brooklyn

The Most Rev. Gregory John Mansour, Bishop of The Maronite Eparchy of Brooklyn (which encompasses the East Coast), remembers Pope Francis fondly. “He made the Church closer to the people, and the people closer to the Church, which is what I loved about him,” said Mansour, who explained Francis’ view that the church should not be a museum but rather a field hospital.

Mansour, who observed that Francis did not look well for quite some time, said that the pontiff nevertheless pushed himself and his own limits. He visited Mongolia in 2023, for example, and then toured Asian nations in 2024. When he visited Mongolia, “the whole country came out to see him. He did some amazing things for people who were outside the normal encounters of the Church,” Mansour said.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, who is Catholic, said, “Pope Francis embodied the values Christ taught us every day: helping the less fortunate, calling for peace and ensuring every person is treated as a child of God. He led with compassion, humility and inclusivity, emphasizing that God does not disown any of his children. He reminded us of our collective responsibility to protect this beautiful planet, our shared home. And he was a man of peace, and a fighter for social and economic justice.

Gov. Kathy Hochul joins an audience with His Holiness Pope Francis in Vatican City during the 2024 Pontifical Summit. Photo credit: Vatican Media — Gov. Kathy Hochul joins an audience with His Holiness Pope Francis in Vatican City during the 2024 Pontifical Summit.
Photo credit: Vatican Media

“Last year, I was honored to be invited to the Vatican to deliver remarks at a Pontifical Summit to discuss cli-mate change. His Holiness delivered a remarkable address calling on the world to save our planet and take care of the most vulnerable in our society. He then spoke individually to each of the leaders assembled, and blessed Bill and I on the occasion of our 40th wedding anniversary ..”

Mayor Eric Adams said, “It is with great sadness that I mourn with billions around the world after learning of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. As someone deeply connected to my faith and who represents a city of millions of Catholics, my visit to the Vatican to meet with and hear directly from Pope Francis last year was one of the most sacred and special moments of my life. Pope Francis led with kindness, grace, and faith as he helped build a better world and unite all people, regardless of their background. His decades of spreading peace and love will forever be remembered.”

Adams has ordered all flags on all city buildings, as well as stationary flagstaffs throughout the five boroughs, to be lowered to half-staff beginning immediately.

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who met the pope during his NYC tour a decade ago, said “I join in mourning the loss of Pope Francis, who led one billion Catholics and was a model of faithful, loving service for many more, regardless of creed. I was privileged to see him speak during his visit to our city [2015], where his humility was palpable and his message memorable. Through his life, his leadership, and into his final days he put his faith forward through his words and works, seeking to lift up the people pushed to the margins of society. Like Jesus, peace be unto his name, he was a passionate voice for the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the sick, the imprisoned, the immigrant, the outsider. He brought mercy and love from the pulpit into the world.”

State Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-20) also expressed his condolences to those grieving Francis’ death. “My heart goes out to all those across our city and around the world who are mourning this huge loss. May he rest in peace.”