Media CenterCRS Mourns the Death of Pope Francis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Robyn Fieser
Catholic Relief Services
[email protected]
(646) 648-3916

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, April 21, 2025 – Sean Callahan, president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), issued the following statement in response to the death of Pope Francis.

“With profound sorrow, we mourn the passing of Pope Francis, a shepherd to millions and a beacon of faith and compassion. His death leaves an immeasurable void in the Church and the world.

Since 2013, Pope Francis was unwavering in his dedication to caring for all of God’s creation. From the moment he chose the name Francis – a testament to his commitment to the poor and marginalized – to his encyclical Laudato Si’, the Holy Father embodied a life of service.

At Catholic Relief Services, we are deeply grateful for Pope Francis’ unwavering call to serve the most vulnerable. In 2021, when he became the first-ever sitting pope to visit Iraq, our staff – many of whom were born and raised there – were profoundly grateful for the chance to show the world the important work of the Church in building fraternity across the country.

We entrust his soul to God’s mercy, praying that his faith and spirit of fellowship continue to touch the hearts and minds of Catholics worldwide. We pray for the Holy Father and all those in mourning.

Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace.
Amen.

May his soul and the soul of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Amen.

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Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. For more information, visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org and follow Catholic Relief Services on social media in English at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube; and in Spanish at: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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