For Immediate Release: April 21, 2025
Contact: Heather Cabral I 202-550-6880 I hcabral@faithinaction.org
Shannon Craig Straw | 202-674-5921 | scstraw@westendstrategy.com
WASHINGTON — Leaders of the largest faith-based grassroots organizing network are joining the world in mourning Pope Francis, whose leadership, they say, was marked with compassion and courage. In statements after the Pope’s passing, leaders with Faith in Action, which started more than 50 years ago as a Catholic initiative to grow a community organizing network in California, recalled his focus on mercy and justice and strong support for grassroots organizing and its power to foster systems change.
Bishop Dwayne Royster, executive director of Faith in Action, said: “Pope Francis was a visionary who showed us what the world could be when we embrace Jesus’ teachings. Through his life and leadership, he called us as Christians to put our faith into action—to stand up for the silenced, to care for the marginalized and to build a more inclusive and just world for all of God’s children. He led with the love and mercy of Jesus, reshaping tradition to reflect God’s boundless grace for all people. His legacy will forever be one of courage and compassion, grounded in a deep commitment to human dignity and the belief that faith must move us to action. We send our condolences to all our Catholic siblings in our network and around the globe.”
Leaders from Faith in Action visited the Vatican in June 2015 ahead of the Pope’s first and only visit to the U. S. to share a national effort spanning more than 150 parishes to prepare for the visit. As a follow-up, Faith in Action co-sponsored a convening of more than 600 grassroots leaders for the U.S. Regional Meeting of Popular Movements, where Pope Francis radically called for the protection of immigrants and shared in a letter, “The grave danger is to disown our neighbors. When we do so, we deny their humanity and our own humanity without realizing it; we deny ourselves, and we deny the most important Commandments of Jesus.” Pope Francis often participated in convenings of grassroots organizers and leaders across the globe through a series of World Meetings of Popular Movements, spreading a message of hope and the importance of social movements.
Fr. John Baumann, founder of Faith in Action, said: “The Pope taught us to be protagonists in the creation of a better, more humane future where everyone is loved and respected as a child of God. He called us to welcome migrants with humanity, care for the earth as our common home, and challenge economic systems that idolize money and cause poverty, suffering, and indifference. His legacy will be a reminder that the future of humanity is in the hands of those who struggle against poverty and injustice.”
Gloria Morales-Palacios, grassroots leader, San Diego Organizing Project was invited to meet with Pope Francis in September 2024 shared, “When we met with Pope Francis in September, he told us not to give up, keep fighting for those who are suffering. Things are getting harder in my community and the Pope’s words remind me to see the hope. His words are always in my mind and keep me going. His words and his values are more important now than ever. We must continue to bring the light to the communities we serve at Faith in Action and we must speak up for the oppressed and bring the light of hope and love to our communities.”
Joseph Fleming, director of federation engagement and support of Faith in Action: “I was struck by how often Pope Francis returned to the parable of the Good Samaritan, in which Jesus teaches that everyone is our neighbor, and that we have an obligation to love and care for one another that transcends any differences that may exist among us. His passing is a great loss for both the Catholic Church and all who are called to work for justice.
Nanci Palacios, the deputy director at Faith in Florida, joined the delegation that visited the Vatican in 2015 and shared, “The Vatican trip in 2015 was my first trip out of the country as a DACA recipient traveling on advance parole. On that trip, Pope Francis tasked us with a call to remain close to those who are most impacted. Pope Francis demonstrated that with his own actions by visiting with people who were detained and incarcerated around the world. Pope Francis asked us to be vocal on issues impacting the most vulnerable people around the world, inviting us all to walk alongside the oppressed and I will continue to answer that call. As I mourn his passing, I’m following the teachings of God that He has demonstrated through Pope Francis.”
The Rev. Dr. Cassandra Gould, political director of Faith in Action, said: “Pope Francis proved that doing what’s right can be institutional policy. He welcomed so many new voices into the church on the active pursuit of loving thy neighbor. During a fraught and fearful moment for so many, we remember his compassion and humility and pledge to carry on his ministry of love and justice.”
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About Faith in Action
Faith in Action is the largest grassroots, faith-based organizing network in the United States. The nonpartisan organization works with 1,000 religious congregations in more than 200 cities and towns through its 46 local and state federations. For more information, visit www.faithinaction.org.
Faith in Action is a 501c(3). Faith in Action and its affiliates are non-partisan and are not aligned explicitly or implicitly with any candidate or party. We do not endorse or support candidates for office.
