Bishop Adam J. Parker and Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., both of whom were appointed bishops by Pope Francis, are remembering their personal encounters with the late pope as inspirational moments that helped shape their ministries.
Remembering Pope Francis
Pope Francis died April 21, 2025. See below for full coverage from the Catholic Review, Catholic News Service and OSV News.
Archbishop Lori praises Pope Francis for closeness, realism
Archbishop William E. Lori said that Pope Francis could be readily described as a “pastoral pope,” a sense of service that he brought from his years as an archbishop in Argentina who was close to his priests and people.
Pope’s funeral rites, a celebration of hope, to begin late April 21
Pope Francis’ funeral rites, like those for any pope or any Christian, are meant to “reinforce the hope and witness to the faith” that those who have been baptized in Christ “will rise with him to new life.”
U.S. bishops honor Pope Francis’ legacy in hours after his death
Pope Francis, who died April 21 at age 88, “will long be remembered for his outreach to those on the margins of the Church and of society,” Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a statement shared in the first hours after the pope’s death.
U.S. cardinal announces pope’s death to the world
U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, the “camerlengo” or chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, announced to the world that Pope Francis had died April 21 at the age of 88.
Baltimore Archbishop William Lori saddened by death of Pope Francis; plans to host memorial Mass tonight
Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori said April 21 that he was saddened to learn of Pope Francis’ passing and that he plans to attend his funeral as well as host a memorial Mass locally.
With pastor’s touch, Pope Francis preached mercy, embraced ‘peripheries’
Pope Francis, who died April 21 at the age of 88 gave new energy to millions of Catholics — and caused concern for some — as he transformed the image of the papacy into a pastoral ministry based on personal encounters and strong convictions about mission, poverty, immigration and dialogue.