Reflections from the General’s representative to the Vatican
- simoneworthing
- May 1
- 4 min read
Updated: May 1
BY SIMONE WORTHING
Since the death of Pope Francis on 21 April, events at the Vatican and the soon-to-come conclave have been at the forefront of news around the world. Did you know that the Generals of The Salvation Army have an official representative to the Vatican? And do you know who the current representative might be? And what they actually do in this role?
For the past three years, Canadian officer Lieut-Colonel Andrew Morgan has been General Lyndon Buckingham’s representative to the Vatican, a city-state surrounded by Rome, Italy, and the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church.
In an interview with the Canadian Salvationist last year, Lieut-Colonel Morgan spoke about his overseas ministry, including his role in the Italy and Greece Territory, including Vatican City.
“In addition to being the territorial commander, I’m also the General’s representative to the Vatican. And the opportunities that it provides are absolutely tremendous. The Salvation Army, internationally, has an ongoing dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church, and we hold a four- or five-day set of talks annually to discuss matters of theology and Christian faith and practice.
“And being in Rome, there are many other denominations that have a representative here. So, from an ecumenical perspective, I stand as a peer with them and have the opportunity to represent The Salvation Army and be our voice ... [My wife] Darlene (Lieut-Colonel Darlene Morgan) and I have met the Pope on a number of occasions. That doesn’t happen every day as a Salvation Army officer!
To read the full interview and listen to the podcast, click here.
For the past three years, as the General’s representative to the Vatican, Lieut-Colonel Morgan has been at the centre of The Salvation Army’s journey with the Pope. The role is in addition to his primary appointment as Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army’s Italy and Greece Territory, but he says it has been rich in both blessing and challenge.
On Saturday 26 April 2025, Lieut-Colonel Morgan and Lieut-Colonel Darlene Morgan (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries for Italy and Greece) accompanied General Buckingham, as The Salvation Army’s international leader joined ecumenical and state leaders from around the world to honour Pope Francis through their attendance at his funeral mass, held in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City, within Rome. Hundreds of thousands joined them in person and many millions watched the live broadcast.
To read The Salvation Army’s tribute to Pope Francis and his legacy, click here.
Reflections
Following the funeral mass, Lieut-Colonel Morgan reflected on his and The Salvation Army’s relationship with Pope Francis.
What was said during the mass about his deep sense of pastoral care, Andrew knows to be true: “I’ve been in Italy since September 2022,” he said, “and have had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis on four occasions. As The General’s personal representative to the Vatican, it is my annual privilege to meet with the Pope as one of a group of leaders representing Christian denominations.
“However, my first encounter with Pope Francis was after the funeral mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in January 2023. In what I discovered to be Pope Francis’s style, he made an impromptu stop to greet our ecumenical group of leaders who had been in attendance.
“He had just presided over a lengthy funeral mass in the coldest month of the year in Italy and positioned on the windswept steps outside St Peter’s Basilica. Yet rather than retreat to get out of the cold as we wanted to do, Pope Francis stopped and offered a warm smile, a handshake and a genuine appreciation for our presence.
“That same smile and genuineness were hallmarks of each subsequent meeting. At first, I thought the extra attention was because of my Salvation Army uniform. I was aware that Vatican News had reported on the Pope’s fondness for The Salvation Army in a 2019 meeting between Pope Francis and The Salvation Army’s previous international leader, General Brian Peddle.
“On that occasion, the Pope spoke of his first encounter with ecumenism when, at four years old, he met several Salvationists while with his grandmother. As an encouragement, he said that The Salvation Army’s “example of humble service to the least of our brothers and sisters spoke louder than any words”. Pope Francis thanked Salvationists for caring for the homeless and marginalised, and for their efforts to fight human trafficking.
“I began to observe that in each meeting with Pope Francis, his smile and genuineness extended beyond me to everyone else he met. Reflecting now, I greatly appreciate how, in those brief encounters, Pope Francis could convey his attentiveness and authenticity. It was, for me, a genuine pastoral encounter.”
Personal challenge
Lieut-Colonel Morgan says that he now feels deeply challenged to consider how he might be more authentic, present and pastoral in his encounters with others – not only him, though, but The Salvation Army as a whole.
“This is a test for us all,” he stresses. “Pope Francis pointed out one of The Salvation Army’s own values to itself when he said to us, ‘In a world where selfishness and divisions abound, the noble fragrance of genuine self-giving love can offer a much-needed antidote.’
“Does our inner life, our deep-seated attitudes, and our words and actions reflect self-giving love, this most noble of virtues? Right now, it is my deepest prayer.”
