Jimmy Carter, first to host a pope at the White House, dies at 100

Former President Jimmy Carter died December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia, his presidential library announced.

Jan 10, 2025

(OSV News/CNS file/Chris Sheridan)


By Kate Scanlon

Former President Jimmy Carter died December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia, his presidential library announced. At 100, Carter, who had been in hospice care since February 2023, was the longest-living US president.

Carter, who served from 1977-1981 as the 39th US president, was a devout Baptist, and faith played a large role in his life. He even taught catechism in his retirement. Carter was also the first US president to host a pope at the White House.

“My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” Chip Carter, the former president’s son, said in a statement issued through the Carter Centre. “My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”

‘Carter exemplified the Christian faith’
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a statement Dec 30 the US bishops also mourned Carter’s passing.

“His lifelong work on behalf of peace among nations will continue to serve as an inspiration for a world in need of peacemakers,” said Archbishop Broglio, who oversees the US Archdiocese for Military Services. “I pray for the repose of his soul and the comfort of his family.”

Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer of Atlanta said, in a message of condolence to the Carter family, that “President and Mrs Carter exemplified the Christian faith.”

“Whether it was travelling the globe to advance democracy and champion human rights or building houses with Habitat for Humanity and teaching Sunday school in Plains, Georgia, they made the world a better place,” Archbishop Hartmeyer said. “Among the many honours that President Carter received were the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999, and the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. With Rosalynn at his side, he always used these opportunities to teach by example what (it) means to be a servant-leader. Through the work of The Carter Centre, they will continue to inspire generations to come.”

“While the world mourns the passing of a tireless advocate for peace and justice and the nation, a much-respected leader, the Carter family grieves the death of a father, grandfather and great-grandfather,” he added. “On behalf of the clergy, consecrated religious and lay faithful of the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta, I wish to express my sincere sympathy and deepest condolences to President Carter’s children, Jack, Chip, Jeff and Amy, and to their families. Rest assured of my prayers. May the Lord grant you his peace.” Archbishop Hartmeyer added that during his previous role as bishop of Savannah, Georgia, “I met the Carters at Maranatha Baptist Church in October 2019.”

“President Carter invited me to his Bible class, and that particular morning the lesson was on love,” he said. “He asked the question: ‘What must we do to receive God’s love?’ There was much enthusiasm among the young people in responding to the question. In the end, the President said: ‘Nothing, because God loves us first.’ I remained on for the church service and felt so very welcome. Later on that day, the President and First Lady attended a Mass that I celebrated in the local Catholic parish.”

A Vatican telegram released Dec 30 expressed Pope Francis’ condolences. It said the Pope recalled Carter’s “firm commitment, motivated by deep Christian faith, to the cause of reconciliation and peace between peoples, the defence of human rights and the welfare of the poor and those in need.”

Respected Catholic faith leaders
Carter also had notable exchanges with Catholic leaders during his presidency. In a congratulatory telegram to Carter upon his election in November 1976, Pope Paul VI offered him “cordial felicitations.” The Pope said he would pray Carter would lead the American people “in the way of authentic progress, true peace and fraternal concern, with liberty and justice for all.”

Carter’s inauguration featured faith leaders from multiple traditions, including a benediction given by then-Archbishop John R. Roach of St Paul and Minneapolis.

During his administration, Carter hosted Pope John Paul II at the White House on Oct 6, 1979, while the latter was on his first papal trip to the United States, making him the first pope to ever visit the White House.

During remarks thanking the Pope for his visit, Carter said, “As human beings each acting for justice in the present — and striving together for a common future of peace and love — let us not wait so long for ourselves and for you to meet again. Welcome to our country, our new friend.” The Pope responded by embracing the president.

Remarking on the White House meeting between the then-president and pontiff, Archbishop Hartmeyer said, “Their mutual respect and affection for each other continued throughout the years as they both championed peace and human rights.”

Carter later visited Pope John Paul at the Vatican on June 24, 1980. During his visit to Italy, Carter also paid a visit to a Venetian monastery for prayers and breakfast.

“He wanted to know everything,” Fr Gilíes Zaramella, the abbot, later told a news service. “He asked about all the paintings, the buildings, and talked to each of us individually and asked what we do.”--OSV News

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