On Monday 21 April 2025, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, announced to the world that His Holiness Pope Francis had died.
‘At 7.35 this morning,’ said Cardinal Farrell as he read from an official statement, ‘the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.’
What followed was a global outpouring of grief but also acknowledgement of Pope Francis’s merciful attitude, his unwavering advocacy for those living in poverty, his commitment to fighting injustice, his pastoral inclusion of all peoples and his devotion to building ecumenical relationships.
The Salvation Army International published an immediate response that included a tribute to Pope Francis and his legacy, and a brief account of the movement’s own journey with Pope Francis. ‘From humble beginnings,’ said General Lyndon Buckingham, ‘his focus on God’s mercy, dedication to environmental stewardship, and deep concern for the poor and vulnerable have made a great and lasting legacy.’
For the past three years, as The General’s Personal Representative to the Vatican, Lieut-Colonel Andrew Morgan has been at the centre of The Salvation Army’s journey with the Pope. The role is additional to his primary appointment as Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army’s Italy and Greece Territory, but he says it has been rich in both blessing and challenge.
On Saturday 26 April 2025, Lieut-Colonel Morgan and Lieut-Colonel Darlene Morgan (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries for Italy and Greece) accompanied General Buckingham, as The Salvation Army’s international leader joined ecumenical and state leaders from around the world to honour Pope Francis through their attendance at his funeral mass, held in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City, within Rome. Hundreds of thousands joined them in person and many millions watched the live broadcast.
Reflections
Following the funeral mass, Lieut-Colonel Morgan reflected on his and The Salvation Army’s relationship with Pope Francis. What was said during the mass about his deep sense of pastoral care, Andrew knows to be true: ‘I’ve been in Italy since September 2022,’ he said, ‘and have had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis on four occasions. As The General’s Personal Representative to the Vatican, it is my annual privilege to meet with the Pope as one of a group of leaders representing Christian denominations.
‘However, my first encounter with Pope Francis was after the funeral mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in January 2023. In what I discovered to be Pope Francis’s style, he made an impromptu stop to greet our ecumenical group of leaders who had been in attendance. He had just presided over a lengthy funeral mass in the coldest month of the year in Italy and positioned on the windswept steps outside St Peter’s Basilica. Yet, rather than retreat to get out of the cold as we wanted to do, Pope Francis stopped and offered a warm smile, a handshake and a genuine appreciation for our presence.
‘That same smile and genuineness were hallmarks of each subsequent meeting. At first, I thought the extra attention was because of my Salvation Army uniform. I was aware that Vatican News had reported on the Pope’s fondness for The Salvation Army in a 2019 meeting between Pope Francis and The Salvation Army’s previous international leader, General Brian Peddle.
‘On that occasion, the Pope spoke of his first encounter with ecumenism when, at four years old, he met several Salvationists while with his grandmother. As an encouragement, he said that The Salvation Army’s “example of humble service to the least of our brothers and sisters spoke louder than any words”. In particular, Pope Francis thanked Salvationists for caring for the homeless and marginalised, and for their efforts to fight human trafficking.
‘I began to observe that in each meeting with Pope Francis, his smile and genuineness extended beyond me to everyone else he met. Reflecting now, I greatly appreciate how, in those brief encounters, Pope Francis could convey his attentiveness and authenticity. It was, for me, a genuine pastoral encounter.’
Challenged
Lieut-Colonel Morgan says that he now feels deeply challenged to consider how he might be more authentic, present and pastoral in his own encounters with others. Not only him, though, but The Salvation Army as a whole.
‘This is a test for us all,’ he stresses. ‘Pope Francis pointed out one of The Salvation Army’s own values to itself when he said to us, “In a world where selfishness and divisions abound, the noble fragrance of genuine self-giving love can offer a much-needed antidote.”
‘Does our inner life, our deep-seated attitudes and our words and actions reflect self-giving love, this most noble of virtues? Right now, it is my deepest prayer.’
• Read more: Pope to Salvation Army: Humble service speaks louder than words - Vatican News
