The Sat Report: Pope Francis R.I.P, 1936-2025
We pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis
This morning our Holy Father suffered a stroke, went into a coma and died. There were no final words. His last public words as Pope were “Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus Pater, et Filius, et Spiritus Sanctus”, imparting his Apostolic Blessing on the faithful gathered on Easter Sunday for the Urbi et Orbi blessing. That in and of itself a final act of service. Let us pray for his soul, and let us also pray for his sister, and all those who held him dear.
He suffered terribly over the last few months, and continued to push himself beyond his limits to be close to those on the peripheries, the overwhelming hallmark of his Pontificate. I think specifically of his visit to Regina Coeli Prison on Holy Thursday. I was moved beyond words.
I think too, of how in the last few days of his life he prayed at the tomb of St. Pius X on two occasions. There could not have been two more different Popes. I think too of Pope Francis spending time on Holy Saturday, praying in silence in front of the tomb of St. Peter. It is almost as if he knew, that his time of earth was short, and was speaking to one who holds the keys of Heaven. It probably wasn’t prudent for him to ride on the popemobile on Easter Sunday, perhaps he knew it might be the last time, as it turned out to be, and he wanted to show the faithful that he is a shepherd that did not abandon his flock. For this too he should be praised.
He was a complex figure, one that is impossible to characterise into clean clear boxes. He did much good, but he had his faults and his flaws, and there is much to criticise about how he governed the Church. Today is not the day for that. There will be plenty of time to pour over it all in the days, weeks and months ahead. Most importantly now is we Catholics pray for the repose of his soul. We should also pray that the Holy Spirit illuminates the hearts and minds of the Cardinal electors, that they may choose from amongst their ranks a holy, wise and courageous man to lead the Church of God.
The legacy of Pope Francis will be complicated, and will take time to crystallise. This conclave may well be a referendum on his papacy by the very men that he chose to elect his successor.
This is all I want to say for now on a day of profound sadness for us all.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul rest in peace.
