A statement from the Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, following the sad news of the death of Pope Francis:
“We are greatly saddened to hear the news of the death of Pope Francis. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. The Pope’s lively faith and trust in the Lord Jesus were transparent and his good humour was never far below the surface of his conversation. His choice of the name Francis was inspired: his pontificate was marked by Franciscan simplicity and humility. His apostolic exhortation ’The Joy of the Gospel’ has been a great ecumenical blessing, not least in encouraging the church to foster missionary disciples. Our hearts go out to our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters at this time, especially to Bishop Ralph and the clergy and people of the Diocese of Hallam.”