Our Dear Holy Father, Pope Francis

Early last Monday morning, we heard the sad news of the death of our dear Holy Father, Pope Francis. He is deeply mourned by us Catholics but also by many people of other faiths.

In his autobiography “Hope” which was published in January, he wrote that he doesn’t like the description “pope to the poor”. He sees it as  “no more than an idealisation, or a caricature.” He reminds us that:

“The Gospel is addressed to everyone, and it doesn’t condemn people, classes, conditions, categories, but rather idolatries, such as the idolatry of wealth that produces injustice, of insensitivity to the cry of those who suffer. Yet the pope is for everyone. Especially for poor sinners, beginning with me.”

It was wonderful that he encouraged us always to remember that we, the church, are not a supposed gathering of those who are pure. He went on to say

“The Lord blesses everyone, and His Church must not, cannot, do otherwise. “Lord, take me as I am, with my defects, with my shortcomings, but make me become what you want me to be.” These words of John Paul I, which I recalled during the homily for his beatification on September 4, 2022, resound in each one of us. It is our task as pastors to take others by the hand, to accompany them, to help them to discern, and not to exclude them.”

These words of his reminded me of the words he spoke to the young people at World Youth Day in Lisbon last year:

“There is room for everyone in the church and, whenever there is not, then, please, we must make room, including for those who make mistakes, who fall or struggle. The Lord does not point a finger, but opens wide his arms: Jesus showed us this on the cross,” Francis continued. “He does not close the door, but invites us to enter; he does not keep us at a distance, but welcomes us.”

As one commentator wrote

“The pope’s emphasis on openness is simple and has come to define much of his 10 year papacy as he has continually tried to preach a message of welcome to historically marginalised groups in the church, including women, the divorced and remarried, and LGBTQ Catholics.”

Those words echoed that of his message when he spoke to the country’s priests, bishops, seminarians, and women and men religious, he said that it was their job to welcome everyone in the church, using the Spanish word todos (“all” or “everyone”) more than a dozen times.

At this time of sorrow and mourning, let us thank God for Pope Francis’ leadership as a shepherd, and pray

O God, faithful rewarder of souls,
grant that your departed servant Pope Francis,
whom you made successor of Peter
and shepherd of your Church,
may happily enjoy for ever in your presence in heaven
the mysteries of your grace and compassion,
which he faithfully ministered on earth.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.