The Passing into Glory of Pope Francis
Dear friends,
This morning, we got the sad news from the Vatican in a video statement of the death of Pope Francis.
“Pope Francis has died; The first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died at 88 at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) on Monday, April 21, 2025” (Cardinal Kevin Farrell in a statement published by the Vatican on its Telegram channel).” The message continued:
“Francis had suffered various ailments in his 12-year papacy, with severe complications in recent weeks after a bout of double pneumonia for which he spent five weeks in hospital. His death comes one day after a brief appearance before thousands of Catholic pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square for the Vatican’s open-air Easter Sunday mass.”
I immediately gathered the students into the chapel to tell them the news and ask for their prayers for the repose of his soul. It is customary for Catholics to pray for the Holy Father when he dies. After the announcement, we prayed for his eternal repose.
Pope Francis greets the people.
We know that Pope Francis's 12-year papacy was marked by much opposition toward his teaching on traditional Catholic Doctrine. That aside, he fought against corruption and sexual abuse in the Church and demonstrated great sympathy for immigrants and refugees, the marginalized, the suffering, and the sick. He also urged us to be joyful in carrying and proclaiming the Gospel message, to protect nature for posterity, and to love one another as Christ loved us. He was outstanding in humility, and like every leader, he did his best to lead the Church and the faithful to Christ. We pray that God should forgive him for his failings, which might not have been intended but were born out of human frailty.
Eternal Rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
Eternal Rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him
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 through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Amen.
-Fr. Emmanuel Fale Lon, SD