San Francisco, CA, April 14, 2025 — FCM Statement on the Passing of Pope Francis

The Circle of Directors of FCM, one of the country’s largest group of ministers, faith communities, and professional chaplains serving in multitudes of settings such as hospitals, hospice centers, addiction recovery centers, higher education, and more, join the global community in mourning the loss of Pope Francis this morning.

As a community of faith, we are inspired by Pope Francis’s life of service and his commitment to love, compassion, humility, and inclusion within the Roman Catholic Church. His calls for reform – and the resistance he faced in return – are familiar to FCM. Our organization was founded by former Roman Catholic priests who felt called both to serve and to marry, an expression of love and vocation that the broader Church has yet to fully embrace. While some traditions remain, Pope Francis led the Catholic community into a new age of inclusion through his work with those on the margins. He appointed the first ever woman to leadership within the Vatican, was a proponent of interfaith dialogue over conversion evangelism, washed the feet of the imprisoned, encouraged a Carmelite nun in her ministry with trans women, met with LGBTQIA+ faith leaders and activists, called for compassion for the immigrants and refugees, approved same-sex blessings, and advocated for environmental justice.

Pope Francis was also never afraid to resist the status quo. Unlike his predecessors, Pope Francis was a vocal critic of unfettered capitalism and corporate greed. His identity as “The People’s Pope” reflects a papacy rooted in siding with people over power.

As we remember the life and legacy of Pope Francis, may we remember his encouragement that, “we all have the duty to do good.”

Disclaimer

This statement is issued by the Circle of Directors as an expression of FCM’s collective spiritual and ethical commitments. While it reflects the values and mission of the organization, it does not obligate any individual member to assent to or act in accordance with its contents. FCM affirms the Divinely granted autonomy of its members and acknowledges their right to freedom of thought, conscience, and expression in accordance with their individual vocations and contexts. Consistent with long-standing judicial precedent protecting freedom of association and religious expression, no part of this statement should be construed to represent the personal beliefs, professional responsibilities, or institutional affiliations of any individual member.

About FCM

We are a cooperative of seekers, ministers, chaplains, communities, and individuals. Together we provide spiritual care, worship, and celebrate weddings, baptisms, and funerals. We offer spiritual direction, retreat, blessing, healing, and interfaith connection to our communities. The mission of FCM centers around the empowerment and nurturing of those who are inspired for inclusive ministries in our world. We envision a future in which inclusive ministries transform society through the unique work that we are individually and collectively Called to do. Learn more at https://www.fedcm.org/

Inquiries & Contact

For additional information or to share inquiries please contact Rev. Madison Jones McAleese, Executive Director of FCM at +1-833-406-9996 extension 601, or exedir@fedcm.org.

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