“”To learn to live, however, we must all of us learn to love. Let us not forget this! “
It was with great sadness and some shock that the world learned this morning that Pope Francis had “returned to the Father’s house”. In
spite of his recent serious illness and brush with death, the fact that he had returned to the Vatican and was seen out and about on a few occasions gave reason to hope that his health might improve. Possibly, he, himself knew better and wanted to go back to the Vatican and to return to work for the little time he had left. The full extent of his physical weakness and fragility was certainly apparent yesterday, as he struggled to impart an Easter blessing to all who had gathered in St. Peter’s square and to the wider world. But also on display was the strength and resilience of his great spirit and heart, which he continued to impart right to the end.
Countless tributes have been paid to him throughout the day from world leaders, governments, leaders of other faiths and ordinary people both within and outside of the Church. He was a man for all peoples, his vision of the Church as a “field hospital” where all were welcome especially those wounded by life and who were on the margins both of society and the Church, gave hope and comfort to so many. He was a simple man who tried to live out that simplicity within the pomp and formality of the papacy. Taking the name, Francis, was certainly a clear indication of the direction he wished his papacy to take, following in the footsteps of Francis, the poor man of Assisi, who also received from the Lord the mission to reform the Church of his time.
In the last few years his efforts to set the Church on the synodal path is possibly his greatest legacy to the Church. We hope and pray that his vision of the Church as a community of sisters and brothers supporting each other, regardless of differences, to live according to the Gospel mandate to love one another, will continue and flourish under his successor.
Perhaps the best way to pay tribute to Pope Francis, and to know what was most precious to him and what he wished for all of us, is the last paragraph of his autobiography:
“To learn to live, however, we must all of us learn to love. Let us not forget this! It is the most important lesson we can learn – to love, because love conquers all. By loving we can pull down barriers, we can win battles, we can defeat indifference and hate, we can melt and transform our hearts, throwing our neighbours off balance as Jesus did, who sacrificed Himself on the cross for us sinners and asked nothing in return. A disinterested love that can change the world, that can change the course of history. How many things would have gone differently in the past eighty years of history if love and prayer had motivated human beings, rather than the thirst for power. And, speaking of prayer, remember that the world needs it more and more. Let us pray more!
But I ask this of you: please don’t forget to pray for me! For, not against!”
Pope Francis Life – My Story Through History
His life’s work over there is no doubt he will receive a warm welcome in the “Father’s house”.