Religious leaders from other NZ churches praise late Pope

Reverend Dr Maja Whitaker, an academic dean at Laidlaw College and a pastor in the Equippers church network, said the grief she has experienced following the news of the Pope’s death “cut deeper than I had expected”.

Dr Whitaker said Pope Francis’ “approach was simple, but never simplistic, and often it cost him personally. In his humility and authentic presence, he earned the genuine affection of many, both inside and outside the Catholic Church”.

Reverend Frank Ritchie, who leads the Wesleyan Methodist church Commoners in Hamilton, praised Pope Francis for speaking his mind, but showing respect for everyone.

“The care Pope Francis showed towards those often neglected by society has personally been both deeply challenging and encouraging to me,” Rev. Ritchie said.

“He knew his limits; owning his own frailty as a human and seeking the prayers of others. This was in stark contrast to the bravado of some world leaders who seek to maintain their position through projecting images of power and threats.”

The Most Reverend Dr Don Tamihere, Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church in New Zealand and Polynesia, said Francis was an “extraordinary Christian leader”. He had heard from other Māori leaders who were blessed to have met Pope Francis and “how in awe they became of his humility and graciousness”.

Archbishop Tamihere said he met Pope Francis at the Vatican in April 2024, and shared a discussion for more than an hour.

“His opening words to us were ‘Pray for me. This is a hard job.’ Most of us chuckled because we understood in our own lesser ways what it must be like for him. I’ll never forget how humble and gracious he was and how earnest he was in his encouragement to us.”

Reverend Craig Vernall, senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Tauranga and a vice-president of the Asia Pacific Baptist Federation, said: “Pope Francis warmed the hearts of many both inside and outside of the Catholic traditions.”

Pope Francis has been celebrated for his response to the millions living on the margins, whether that be poverty, sexuality, migrants or the environment, Rev. Vernall said.

“I was always touched by how much Francis warmed the hearts of the Catholic community through his kindness and acknowledgement of hurting people.”

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Pope Francis death: Local religious leaders pay tribute to late pontiff (NZ Herald)