Pope Francis during Fr. John Crossin’s visit to the Vatican in 2020

We in the Washington Theological Consortium mourn the loss of Pope Francis.  As an ecumenical organization, we recognize his extraordinary vision and pastoral heart that opened the Catholic Church in ways that inspired many other churches and ecclesial bodies.  He was a true ecumenist, a defender of the poor and displaced, a spiritual champion of the environment, and an institutional reformer.  We send our special  condolences to our Catholic brothers and sisters and we pray that Pope Francis’ legacy will be remembered well.  We will all pray for the coming Conclave to have wisdom and discernment in identifying his successor.                Dr. Larry Golemon