Rep. Hoyle Statement on the Passing of Pope Francis

Rep. Hoyle Statement on the Passing of Pope Francis

For Immediate Release: April 21, 2025

EUGENE, OR - Today, Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) released the following statement regarding the passing of Pope Francis:

"Today we lost a great and moral leader of the Catholic faith who epitomized the vision of social justice that I learned growing up in the Church. Pope Francis lived his faith and prioritized the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable. He recognized and put forward that the dignity of work could not be separated from the rights of workers to decent and fair wages, to the ability to organize and join unions.

"In his encyclical letter, Fratelli Tutti, the core message was that universal fraternity and social friendship must be practiced together. His inspiring words and legacy for the Catholic Church, bringing it closer to the needs of the people, and to the world will not be forgotten:

"A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just." "Too often we participate in the globalization of indifference. May we strive instead to live global solidarity." "Kindness is firm and persevering intention to always will the good of others, even the unfriendly."

###