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Alexandria leaders pay tribute to Pope Francis

By James Cullum
Pope Francis in Washington, D.C., March 2015 (staff photo by James Cullum) 

Many of Alexandria’s religious and elected leaders have paid tribute to Pope Francis since he died in Rome on Easter Monday, April 21.

The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, president of Virginia Theological Seminary, said that the world feels a little emptier today following the death of the 88-year-old pontiff.

“A true witness to the Gospel, he was a powerful voice for migrants escaping persecution and a strong advocate for the environment,” Markham said. “As he is received into the communion of the saints, two seminaries involved in the holy work of formation pray for his soul and for our Roman Catholic siblings in Christ who mourn his passing.”

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), a Catholic, met the pope in Rome.

“I am so saddened by the death of Pope Francis, who modeled humility and compassion as he led the Catholic Church,” Kaine posted on social media. “I met him once in Rome and we talked in Spanish about the need for all to provide hospitality to refugees. At the end of our conversation, he switched into English and said, ‘Pray for me.'”

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) said that Francis was “a tirelessly humble and visionary leader for the Church.”

“Regardless of your faith, his legacy of endless compassion, his dedication to peace across the globe, and his tireless championing of the dignity of the poor forged a brighter future and illuminated a more hopeful world,” Warner said.

U.S. Rep Don Beyer said that Francis embodied leadership grounded in humility.

“He called on us to protect our environment, to uplift the marginalized among us, and to leave this Earth better than we found it,” Beyer said. “As we grieve his loss, may his light continue to guide us toward compassion and our shared humanity.”

Bishop of Arlington Michael F. Burbidge will celebrate a memorial mass for Pope Francis at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More (3901 Cathedral Lane) in Arlington at noon on Wednesday, April 23.

“I join with Catholics and all people of goodwill across the Diocese of Arlington, the nation and the world in prayer as we mourn the death of Pope Francis,” Burbidge said in a statement. “Over the course of his long life, the Holy Father served as a witness to the risen Christ, our source of hope for eternal happiness.”

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.