Our Easter altar now bears a tribute to Pope Francis – May angels greet him and lead him to Paradise.
His Eminence, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, expressed the following thoughts upon hearing the news of Pope Francis having passed away:
“I join with people all over the world, not only Catholics, but people of all faiths or none at all, in mourning the passing of our beloved Pope Francis this morning. How appropriate that his last public appearance was on Easter Sunday as we celebrated the joy of the resurrection of Jesus whom Pope Francis loved so deeply and so well, and right after our Jewish brothers and sisters, for whom Pope Francis had such great love, concluded their celebration of Passover.
I was honored to participate in the conclave that elected Pope Francis in 2013, and to have welcomed him here to New York in 2015. He touched us all with his simplicity, with his heart of a humble servant. Trusting in the tender and infinite mercy of Jesus, we pray that he is, even now, enjoying his eternal reward in heaven.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.” – – – Cardinal Timothy Dolan
Let us pray for God’s will, and for the strength, wisdom, and grace of the Lord to rest upon his successor.
Requiescat in pace from Bishop Robert Barron:
Friends,
Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, has reached the end of his earthly pilgrimage.
Pope Francis was a great pastor who spoke from the heart and with tender affection. I had the pleasure of meeting with Pope Francis several times during his papacy. On the occasions when he and I spoke, his comments would burn their way into my heart and mind. During a meeting with my fellow bishops, he reminded us that “the first task of a bishop is to pray.”
Pope Francis’ papacy was marked by two master themes: mercy and evangelization. In an interview, he famously remarked that the Church is a field hospital to those wounded by our postmodern, relativistic society. It must, first and foremost, heal the wounds.
Pope Francis had a keen awareness of the destructiveness of sin, and he encouraged the Church to show the world the merciful face of Christ. He also emphasized the importance of our personal witness to the light of faith, drawing others to the life-giving joy of the Gospel.
As we celebrate Pope Francis’ life and legacy, please join me in praying for the repose of his soul.
Peace,
+ Bishop Robert Barron
