As you have no doubt seen and read, Pope Francis passed away on the Monday after Easter.
I’m feeling a mix of emotions. I’m sad for the world, a real leader is gone from our midst. He was a humble and gentle man, who led with much grace and love. He had his detractors who wanted to maintain the status quo as far as the Church is concerned. They were not in favor of Francis’ desire to be more open, more accepting, more…well…Christ-like! For those who felt his loving acceptance, they have felt the presence of Christ through Francis.
For all the pomp and circumstance which surrounds the papacy, Francis seemed to want to remain in touch with every day people. He gave us the understanding of true servanthood. I believe he took to heart Jesus’ teaching about those who want to lead, must be willing to serve. In today’s world, that kind of leadership seems very rare indeed.
Jorge Mario Begoglio was the first pope elected from Latin America. He was no stranger to the poor and disenfranchised. He stood for justice, but more importantly for love.
When Cardinal Begoglio was elected to the papacy, as with every newly elected pope, the question of what he would be called swirled in the media. Although he was a Jesuit, he chose the name Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi. The first ever to take that name. I was personally elated, I have loved the stories of St. Francis from my childhood.
What name is adopted is sometimes seen as what direction a new pope may be moving. St. Francis was certainly a friend to the poor, to those without station or title in this life. He was also a friend to all of creation. My suspicion was, this pope is going to be very different. That feeling was vindicated in how Francis moved within the Vatican, and how he related to all the world. He was looking to move the Church from walls of exclusion to open doors of inclusion. He wanted to make inroads with other faiths. He felt a need to remind us God is no respecter of wealth, position, or temporal power. God expects all of us to know God sees us ALL the same. And by all means, God loves us all the same.
So yes, I was saddened to hear Franics had moved from this realm to the eternal realm. I knew that day was coming, sooner than later. But as with any death, can we ever really be prepared? After the intial shock that he was gone, I also felt a relief that Francis was no longer suffering in this life, that he had fiinished his race, and he had kept AND expanded the faith.
I don’t pretend to know what makes for a saint in the Catholic Church, but for me, when someone puts their life aside for the sake of serving others, they are a true saint in my thinking. We learn from those saintly people around us. The ones who quietly, without fanfare, make our world a better place. We learn what true humility is capable of. We learn what true heaven on earth can be when we see their actions, hear their voices, and feel their love.
I never met Pope Francis, but beyond any other popes that have been in my lifetime, I felt a real connection. Is it because he and I shared similar world views? That might be part of it, but I really believe it has more to do with how he exuded his humanity to all of us. He didn’t think himself above or over anyone. When asked about gay priests, his answer rocked the world, “Who am I to judge?” That says it all. Not because it was addressing LGBTQ+ persons, but because it meant even the Pope didn’t feel he had a right to judge, he left that up to God. THAT PART, right there. That’s why I feel so strongly about the Holy Father’s life and witness.
We have lost a beautiful soul in our realm of existence. But friends, we have a beautiful soul to emulate, and we can keep that love Francis gave so freely alive. Let’s you and I mourn our loss of the Holy Father, but let’s you and I determine to be more and more like him. That’s how we honor his life and witness.
Your companion on the Way,
Pastor Tom