United Methodists were vocal in their praise of Pope Francis, who died Easter Monday at age 88. Church leaders noted that Roman Catholics and Methodists have been in continual dialogue since the Second Vatican Council in the early 1960s.
President Jimmy Carter, whose Christian faith shaped his presidency and post-presidency, was a lifelong Baptist who maintained close ties with United Methodists.
Amid breakaways from The United Methodist Church, the World Methodist Council formalized its application process for new members. The group also addressed international conflicts.
