Statement of Condolence on the passing of Pope Francis

Kātahi, e te Ariki, ka tukua tāu pononga kia haere i runga i te rangimārie, 
ka pērā me tāu i kōrero ai. 
Ka kite nei hoki ōku kanohi i tāu whakaoranga. 
Ka whakatakotoria nei e koe ki te aroaro o ngā iwi katoa, 
Hei whakamārama e kite ai ngā tauiwi, 
hei korōria hoki mō tāu iwi, mō Īharaira. – Ruka 2:29-32

E te Pā Tapu, e te Paranihi, e te pononga o ngā pononga ā te Atua, e te Kaihao he kahu mā te hīpoki, e te kaiwhakaatu i te tūmanako, haere, haere, haere! Hoki atu rā ki te kāenga o tō Matua. I a koe ka uru atu nei ki te hari a te Ariki, ki tōna korōria mutungakore, waiho mā te aroha o te Atua me te atawhai o te Karaiti me te mana o te Wairua Tapu koe e tieki, e manaaki, āianei, ā āke ake ake.

We extend our deepest condolences to the Catholic bishops, and to their sisters and brothers throughout the church as they mourn the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis on Easter Monday.

Pope Francis, the first Latin American and the first non-European Pope in over a thousand years, brought a fresh and inspiring voice that resonated across the world.

He invited us all into brave, grace-filled conversations about the pain of war, the struggles of identity, the injustice on those least responsible for climate change, and the deep wounds of abuse. He called us to respond with faith and compassion. That legacy will endure.

Archbishops Don Tamihere and Sione Ulu’ilakepa met Pope Francis in 2024 alongside fellow Primates of the Anglican Communion. He was a humble, gracious leader who spoke with deep care for the Pacific, and who urged Christian leaders to make peace real in the world.

Archbishop Emeritus David Moxon, former Anglican representative to the Holy See, reflects: “Pope Francis was a Pope for his time, a shepherd for our time. He wanted the church to shape its life ever more on the priorities of Jesus in every way it could. This meant a radical humility and simplicity, a heartfelt love for humanity and the quest for freedom from the shackles of oppression. He also reached out to other denominations with genuine reconciliatory love. These are the ways of Christian discipleship today. They are also the ways in which the church is always challenged to reform itself.” 

We give thanks for the life and witness of Pope Francis, now held in the closer embrace of God. His example continues to shape us, and his legacy will speak to every season of the Church.

Archbishop Don Tamihere
Archbishop Sione Ulu'ilakepa
Archbishop Justin Duckworth

Read Archbishop Don Tamihere’s personal reflection here.
Read Archbishop Sione Ulu’ilakepa’s personal reflection here