McGovern Statement on the Passing of Pope Francis

WORCESTER, Mass., April 21, 2025

WORCESTER, Mass.—Today, Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, released the following statement on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis:

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Pope Francis. His Holiness led with courage and compassion—and he understood that faith is about more than words, it’s about action. He didn’t just talk about feeding the hungry—he fed the hungry. He didn’t just denounce oppression—he fought for justice. He defended the dignity of immigrants and worked to end war and bring about peace. And in doing so, he taught people of all faiths how to live with integrity and purpose. For me, Pope Francis has been a source of hope and inspiration in difficult times. I hope his successor carries forward his vision of a Church that puts faith into action and leads with humility and service by caring for the most vulnerable among us.”