Reflection

Pope Francis 

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB says Pope Francis will be remembered as a man of simplicity, humility and compassion. 

‘When Cardinal Bergoglio appeared on the balcony overlooking St Peter’s Square on 14 March 2013, and was introduced to the world as the newly elected Pope Francis, his simplicity and humility set the tone for a papacy which would be marked by an emphasis on the mercy and compassion of God, and on the Church’s vocation to be a sign and bearer of that merciful love in an increasingly troubled world. 

‘His famous description of the Church as a field hospital where wounds could be healed and hearts could be warmed was a call to a renewal of the Church’s life and mission, grounded in a return to Christ as the source and inspiration of everything the Church sought to do and to be. 

Pope Francis, in recognising his own sinfulness, had come to understand that it was the task of the Church, as it was the task of Christ, to embrace people in their brokenness and fragility and lead them to healing and wholeness. 

‘While the Catholic Church, and indeed the whole world, will now turn its attention to the election of a new pope, faithful Catholics will also be praying for Pope Francis, that the mercy and compassion of God which he proclaimed to the world will now embrace him as he enters into the mystery of eternal life,’ Archbishop Costelloe said. 

'They will also join with so many others around the world who will remember with gratitude the simple goodness of a humble man who was ready to make of his whole life a gift of love and service, not just for his fellow Catholics but for everybody.'

At Nazareth College, we have had special prayers remembering Pope Francis. 

May Pope Francis rest in peace. 

Holy Family of Nazareth, be our inspiration and our guide. 

Jesus of Nazareth, help us to grow in Faith, Wisdom and Knowledge 

(based of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne website article 

https://melbournecatholic.org/news/australian-catholics-mourn-pope-francis)