CHARLOTTE — The impact of the life and pontificate of Pope Francis, who died April 21 at the age of 88, had a transformative effect on Catholics around the world and here at home. Pope Francis appointed Bishop Michael Martin in 2024 and influenced the ministry of many leaders across the Diocese of Charlotte.

Bishop Martin called for the diocese’s 93 churches across the western half of North Carolina to cancel Monday evening’s activities and instead open their doors from 7 to 8 p.m. to welcome all people to come and pray for the Holy Father, in communion with the universal Church.

Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv.

I am deeply saddened by the death of Pope Francis and join with Catholics of the Diocese of Charlotte and around the world in mourning the loss of our shepherd. I am certain that all people of good will rejoice with us that this man of faith has “finished the race” (2 Tim 4:7), and we pray that he will receive the reward which we have all been promised by our merciful God who has saved us from the finality of death. There will be time to celebrate the life and legacy of Pope Francis in the days ahead, but for now I invite anyone and everyone to join us in prayer this evening at 7 p.m. in every Roman Catholic church in the Diocese of Charlotte for a time of prayer, reflection, and mourning. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him!

Bishop Emeritus Peter Jugis

In 2016 Pope Francis blessed the Church with a marvelous gift of his pontificate, the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. He asked us to celebrate in our lives the loving mercy of God who gives us His Son Jesus to be our merciful Savior and Redeemer. The theme for that Jubilee Year of Mercy was Jesus’ command, “Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.” To honor Pope Francis and his memory and give glory to God, let us follow the Holy Father’s encouragement from that Jubilee Year and “embrace God’s mercy and dedicate ourselves to being merciful with others as the Father has been with us.” (“Misericordiae vultus,” 14).

The Rev. Dr. Timothy M. Smith, Bishop of the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Pope Francis is, honestly, the first pope I’ve ever considered ‘my pope, our pope’ as ELCA Lutherans. What stands out the most to me in addition to his constant advocacy in behalf of the marginalized, and most recently refugees, has been his direct support of and even directive to Roman Catholics everywhere in 2017 to join with Lutheran siblings in faith to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. The Roman Catholic Church is our mother, and while there is much yet that divides us, Pope Francis helped give us a glimpse and reminder that we are all part of the body of Christ. For this, I and we are eternally grateful and hopeful.

Read all of the reflections.