Bishop Beckman meets with press to discuss Pope Francis’ enduring papacy
By Maggie Parsons
Pope Francis, known for being the people’s pope and for his pastoral care of God’s creation, kept to his ministry by working until almost his last breath before he passed away on April 21 at the age of 88. Bishop Mark Beckman convened a press conference on April 24 at the Chancery to discuss the Holy Father’s life and legacy and share in mourning the death of the Church’s beloved pontiff.
John Mecklenborg, director of communications for the Diocese of Knoxville, begins the April 24 Chancery press conference to discuss the death of Pope Francis. Bishop Mark Beckman appeared via livestream from Nashville, where he was visiting when the Holy Father died. (Photo Dan McWilliams)
“My first reaction was disbelief, and then there was a real feeling of sadness that came over me,” Bishop Beckman said via livestream from Nashville, where he was visiting at the time of Pope Francis’ death.
The bishop explained the emotions he went through from the loss of the pope who appointed him as the fourth shepherd of the Church in East Tennessee a year ago.
Although most of the world knew of Pope Francis’ recent ill health, he was showing signs of improvement, and news of his death was a surprise to many.
The Holy Father on Easter Sunday appeared at St. Peter’s Basilica to deliver the traditional blessing. He also went through St. Peter’s Square in the popemobile and met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who was visiting Rome with his family.
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, in his Vatican residence from a stroke and heart failure.
Pope Francis’ funeral Mass was held in St. Peter’s Square in Rome on April 26, where hundreds of thousands of mourners paid their respects to the Holy Father, whose body laid in state in St. Peter’s Basilica April 23-25.
“We were chosen by him, and he is our shepherd” said Bishop Beckman, when asked by reporters about the impact the Holy Father’s death had not only on him but also his fellow bishops.
Bishop Beckman talked about the connection bishops had with Pope Francis, describing their relationship as special because a number of them were appointed by the pontiff.
The head of the Catholic Church in East Tennessee called it a deeper connection and loss because Francis was more than the pope, he was the bishops’ shepherd.
Bishop Beckman recalled his relationship with Pope Francis, who in spring 2024 named him the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville. Bishop Beckman explained that he received a phone call from the papal nuncio, who gave him the news that Pope Francis wanted to elevate then-Father Beckman of the Diocese of Nashville to bishop.
“I had no idea what actually is said on a phone call to ask someone to be a bishop,” Bishop Beckman shared. “I was taken aback when the nuncio said, ‘Pope Francis has appointed you the next Bishop of Knoxville.’ I was not expecting that, much less even being a bishop.”
Bishop Beckman often has recalled that phone call from the nuncio in the past year and the shock he felt from the unexpected news.
Bishop Beckman also shared with the reporters his one-on-one meeting with Pope Francis last September, when the bishop was called to the Vatican to attend New Bishops School.
The bishop expressed confidence that God will once more reveal a pope who is needed to faithfully bring Christ to the world.
The bishop said it serves as a reminder that God always knows what is best, and just as He prepared him to be the bishop of Knoxville, He will prepare a new pope that is right for the Church.
Members of the media ask Bishop Beckman questions about Pope Francis and his papacy. (Photo Dan McWilliams)
“Who will God choose for us? I’m trusting that the Holy Spirit will guide the College of Cardinals in selecting the person uniquely suited to shepherd the Church going into the future,” Bishop Beckman said, remarking on the trust the faithful must have in God, and how He is the one who knows best for Catholics, the Church, and the world.
Before the news of Pope Francis’ death, Rome was preparing for the canonization of Blessed Carlos Acutis, where thousands of people were expected to celebrate the new saint. But suddenly, devotees of the teen saint had their excitement turn to mourning as the canonization was postponed.
While the mourning period for Pope Francis gripped the world, Rome was filled with young people who had descended on the Italian capital for the Jubilee of Teenagers that the Holy Father had organized. The teens unexpectedly became part of a historic moment in the life of the Church.
Pope Francis was widely known for the heart he had for a complex Church as well as the work he did ministering to the faithful. The Knoxville-area reporters asked about the Holy Father’s lasting impact on the Church and the world.
“I think there was something about his very DNA that was oriented towards service,” Bishop Beckman said during the press conference, noting how the Holy Father, no matter what, wanted to help people around the world from all walks of life.
“I remember seeing him blessing the people on Easter Sunday, being present that day in St. Peter’s Square. And after his death, I realized he was right at the end of his life, but he wanted to be close to the people of God,” Bishop Beckman said.
At the pope’s funeral Mass, people of many faith traditions joined together: presidents, queens, heads of state, and other dignitaries. The Church’s 266th pope, who for 12 years ministered to bring people together in faith, again brought people together after his death.
The streets of Rome overflowed with people from every stage of life, which illustrated how people loved Pope Francis. The Holy Father had taken care of them, and in return the people wanted to show their love for him. That served as yet another example of the impact the pontiff left not only on the Catholic Church but also on the world.
“The next pope will be someone who will need to be an inspiration and a source of hope,” Bishop Beckman said when asked what values the new pope will need to bring to the world.
He discussed how the world needs the next pope to be hopeful in a world that in some ways is broken, and how the world needs a shepherd who will point people to Christ, who is the light of the world.
Bishop Beckman told the reporters that he, like the rest of the world, excitedly awaits the results of the papal conclave, which convened on May 7 to select the 266th successor to St. Peter. Before the conclave commenced, the Church asked for a nine-day period to mourn Pope Francis.
Some 133 members of the College of Cardinals participated in the 2025 conclave, with 10 of them attending from the United States: Cardinals Raymond Burke, 76; Blase Cupich, 76; Timothy Dolan, 75; Daniel DiNardo, 75; Kevin Farrell, 77; Wilton Gregory, 77; James. M. Harvey, 75; Robert McElroy, 71; Robert F. Prevost, 69; and Joseph W. Tobin, 73.