How Christians Should Respond to the Death of Pope Francis: A Message to Protestant Women

This conversation has came up in the Facebook group recently and I wanted to address it. This is just my opinion and you do not have to agree but I do ask that you read this post. As these were my thoughts when I saw some comments from ladies.

A Call for Compassion: Mourning with Our Catholic Sisters

Before I begin, I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to my Catholic sisters in Christ. I am truly sorry for your loss. While I may not fully understand the depth of your sorrow, I am lifting you up in prayer and asking the Lord to comfort and strengthen you during this difficult time.

There has long been tension between Protestants and Catholics. As a Protestant, I hold several theological differences with the Catholic Church. But this week, in our Facebook group, I’ve seen some comments that have deeply saddened me. Remarks made in the wake of someone’s death—especially mocking or callous ones—are not only unkind and disrespectful, but more importantly, they are not Christlike.

You do not have to agree with Catholic doctrine. You do not have to honor the pope. But I humbly ask that we show compassion to those who are mourning.

We may not agree with everything Pope Francis taught or did—but that does not give us the right to speak ill of him in death or to rejoice in his passing. Only God knows the state of a person’s heart in their final moments. We are not called to judge—we are called to love.

Yes, Scripture tells us, “You will know them by their fruits.” It’s wise to discern truth from error:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
—Matthew 7:15–20

We can examine someone’s fruit and form opinions about their spiritual life—but to boldly declare that someone is in hell is not only presumptuous, it’s unbiblical. Because the truth is: we don’t know. We don’t know what took place between that person and the Lord in their final moments.

Right now, our sisters in Christ are grieving and they are hurting. This is not a time for division or pride—it’s a time to mourn with those who mourn.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”~ Romans 12:15

Even Jesus, knowing He would raise Lazarus from the dead, still took time to grieve. He didn’t rush past the pain or use the moment to correct beliefs—He joined His friends in their sorrow:

“Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.
And He said, ‘Where have you laid him?’
They said to Him, ‘Lord, come and see.’
Jesus wept.
Then the Jews said, ‘See how He loved him!’”
—John 11:33–36

The comments I have seen lately have truly been so disheartening and it comes from both sides.

May we reflect that same heart of Christ.
May we be women known not for our cold discernment, but for our warm compassion.
May we be slow to speak, quick to love, and eager to reflect the grace of Jesus—especially in moments like these.