Pope Francis 1936-2025 

Rest in peace and rise in glory

“Children are a sign of every person’s desire to grow and flourish. You remind us that we are all children, brothers and sisters.”    

Pope Francis was humble and compassionate, championing the cause of the poor and marginalised throughout his papacy. He had a profound love for children, citing them to be a sign of joy and hope. 

He called us to protect and cherish every child, emphasising that, “the disadvantaged cannot be thrown away…every person is a sacred gift.” His vision of a “poor Church for the poor’, meant that he served with great humility. He reminded us that the poor cannot keep waiting, we must act now with compassion.

“Hope is a gift and a task for every Christian…it is God who offers it to us.” 

Hope was central to Pope Francis’s message. He taught us and encouraged us to be the people who offer hope to others by bringing light to those in need.

“"The light quietly shines forth, even though we are in darkness; the promise of new life and a world finally set free awaits”.  Easter Vigil 2025

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, has recently released a statement:

‘The death of Pope Francis brings great sadness to so many around the world, both within the Catholic Church and in societies in general. A voice proclaiming the innate dignity of every human being, especially those who are poor or marginalised, is now silent. The legacy he leaves is one we must seek to carry forward and strengthen.” “Pope Francis was called to priesthood through his experience of the mercy and compassion of God. This remained the core of his ministry, as Priest, Bishop and Pontiff. Only in understanding the love and mercy of God towards each one of us can we fashion societies and communities that bear the mark of the “kingdom of God”.  

“This same focus and emphasis lay at this desire to see membership of the Church as being rooted in ‘missionary discipleship’, a dynamic and powerful vision for every Christian and every community. ‘Now we pray for the repose of his soul, that he may know, in full measure, the merciful and loving embrace of the Father, of the one God to whom he gave his life in unstinting service.  May he now rest in peace and rise in glory.”

May 2025.

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