His Holiness Pope Francis
Good afternoon,
It is with sadness that I write of the death earlier today of His Holiness Pope Francis. It was only yesterday that so many around the world (as I did) watched him on the news wishing the Vatican crowds a happy Easter before a drive in his Popemobile to allow the people to see him close at hand.
For many students it is hard to remember a time before Francis was Pope. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he joined the Society of Jesus, was ordained a priest, and subsequently became Jesuit Provincial Superior, Archbishop and Cardinal. Elected as Pope in 2013, he immediately set out on the path which became so familiar over the years – a life of simplicity, commitment to the poor and vulnerable, an emphasis on mercy, and a relaxed style. While absolutely committed to Catholics worldwide and to the Church he loved, he was open to all Christians, people of other faiths and all humanity. His emphases were found in many publications.
Perhaps the most widely read within and beyond the Church was Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home. This 2015 Encyclical Letter examined the earth’s environmental problems and their human roots in the light of the Gospel of Creation. It went on to offer a positive vision of ways forward – integrating ecology and spirituality. Francis draws together questions of technology, globalization and environmental degradation with the effects upon the poorest of the world. For him, caring for the planet is the same demand upon us as caring for our fellow human beings.
Then, in 2016 he published The Name of God is Mercy, connected to a Jubilee Year of Mercy. This emerged from his second homily as Pope in 2013, when he said, “The message of Jesus is mercy. For me, and I say this with humility, it is the Lord’s strongest message.” This guided him in his commitment to the vulnerable, including groups of people who had felt the message of the Church was that they were not welcome.
Throughout his pontificate he spoke regularly and with courage on issues of justice – against the death penalty, against violence and war, against ill treatment of refugees and migrants, and in favour of a sharing of the world’s resources with the needy.
A Catholic Bishop of my acquaintance shared with me recently that perhaps the most significant work of Francis’ pontificate was on synodality – giving laypeople a larger and more significant role in decision-making in the Church. In many other ways, he was a path-breaker – the first Pope from the Southern Hemisphere, from the Americas, and the first Jesuit Pope.
But for all the achievements of his service, it is his Christ-like life of faith and love which stays in my mind. I recall that one of his first acts as Pope was to wash and kiss the feet of juvenile offenders in a detention facility, male and female, among them Christians and Muslims.
Let us remember Catholic students, staff, our honorary Catholic Chaplain Mgr Patrick Burke and others at this time, at the loss of their Pope. But we give thanks for Francis’ faith and his life of service, and our trust in the Easter gospel of the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.
The Catholic Society have invited people to join them in praying a rosary for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis after the 5.30 pm Mass at St James’ Church on the Scores this Wednesday 23 April. The University Chaplaincy will also share details of any special services as we have them.
Pope Francis, Thursday of Holy Week 2013.
Yours,
Donald