ROME — Thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025, for the funeral of Pope Francis, whose death on April 21 after a brief illness marked the end of a transformative papacy. Among the 250,000 mourners from over 160 nations was a high-ranking delegation from the Anglican Communion, representing the prayers and condolences of Anglicans worldwide. The group, led by the Most Revd Marinez Bassotto, Primate of the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil, underscored decades of ecumenical collaboration between Anglicans and Roman Catholics while reflecting on Francis’s unparalleled commitment to the marginalized.
A Historic Gesture of Solidarity
The Anglican delegation, comprising senior clergy, lay leaders, and ecumenical representatives, joined global leaders and faithful in mourning the first Latin American pope. Bassotto, the first woman to serve as Primate of Brazil in 132 years, emphasized Francis’s role as a unifying figure: “It is an honour to give thanks for the amazing life and ministry of Pope Francis, who was a humble servant embodying peace and love. His example calls Christians to walk together in unity and serve the poor and marginalised.”
The delegation included key figures in Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue, such as the Rt Revd Robert Innes, Co-Chair of the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM), and the Most Revd Philip Freier, Co-Chair of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC). Both commissions have advanced theological and pastoral collaboration since the 1970s.
Shared Commitments to the Marginalized
Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church since 2013, was widely revered for his advocacy for the poor, migrants, and the environment—a legacy echoed in Anglican tributes. The Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, called Francis “a faithful follower of Jesus Christ” whose humility and compassion “touched hearts around the world.” On social media, he added: “As we mourn with our Roman Catholic sisters & brothers, we give thanks for the life of this faithful servant.”
Francis’s final public address, delivered via proxy on Easter Sunday, condemned global indifference to violence, inequality, and environmental destruction: “How much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants!” His burial at Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major followed a symbolic gesture by 40 marginalized individuals—migrants, homeless people, transgender advocates, and incarcerated youth—who laid white roses on his coffin. London Bishop Sarah Mullally noted this alignment with his papacy: “He clearly was a man that has impacted people so significantly at the marginalized for the dispossessed.”
Ecumenical Bridges Built and Unfinished Work
The funeral highlighted enduring Anglican-Catholic ties, including through IARCCUM and ARCIC, which Bassotto described as “fruitful ecumenical work.” The Rt Revd Anthony Ball, Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome, praised Francis’s role in fostering interfaith dialogue: “We are grateful for his work in building relations between Anglicans and Roman Catholics, as part of his deep commitment to working for the unity of God’s Church.”
Yet challenges remain. While Francis expanded roles for Catholic women in the Vatican, Anglican delegates acknowledged the need for further progress toward full communion, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ inclusion and structural reforms.
Reflections on Mortality and Mission
For the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the funeral was a stark reminder of human fragility: “Seeing the pope’s body lying in state was a reminder that death is inevitable… Pope Francis served God faithfully, emphasizing the importance of the poor and working together.”
As the Catholic Church prepares for a May 7 conclave to elect Francis’s successor, Anglican leaders reiterated hopes for continued collaboration. “His example calls us all to care more deeply for the excluded,” said Cottrell. Bassotto added: “We bring with us the prayers and tributes of Anglicans across the globe.”
A Legacy of Humility
Francis’s papacy, marked by simplicity and a preference for the “Church of the poor,” resonated deeply with Anglican values. His choice of name—honoring St. Francis of Assisi—symbolized this mission. The Anglican delegation’s presence in Rome reaffirmed a shared vision: a Church grounded in compassion, ecological stewardship, and solidarity with the voiceless.
In the words of Robert Innes: “One man could be the focus of so much hope and bear so much good.” As both traditions navigate an uncertain future, the funeral of Pope Francis stands as a testament to what unites them—and the work still to be done.
