The world stands in silence before the news that shakes the heart of Christendom: Pope Francis is dead. The announcement came a short while ago through the mouth of Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who gave voice to the pain of the Church and millions of faithful in every corner of the globe.
“Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His whole life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.”
With these words, laden with emotion and reverence, the passing of the 266th successor of Peter, the first Jesuit Pope in history, the first from the Americas, and the symbol of a Church that in him wanted to embody an idea of mercy, poverty and closeness to the least, was made official.
A pontificate outside the box
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936 in Buenos Aires, to a family of Piedmontese origin, Pope Francis was elected on 13 March 2013, succeeding Benedict XVI after his historic resignation. His was, from the beginning, a pontificate marked by the desire to break the formalities of the Roman Curia and take the Church ‘outward’, to the peripheries of the world.
From his visits to Lampedusa to his strong commitment to peace, from his symbolic gestures towards migrants to his harsh tones against ‘spiritual worldliness’ and internal corruption within the Vatican, Pope Francis has represented a profound change, loved by many, criticised by others, but impossible to ignore.
A ‘political’ Pope? Or only pastoral to the core
Over the years, the Argentine pope has often provoked debate for his positions sometimes considered too ‘progressive’ by some Catholic circles. His openness, direct language and involvement on social issues such as climate change, the economy and global justice have placed him at the centre of public debate far beyond the confines of the Church.
But beyond the controversy, there remains the figure of a man who sought, with sincerity and tenacity, to translate the Gospel into concrete action, taking the message of Christ to places where pain, poverty and abandonment cry out loudest.
The Church in mourning, the world in prayer
Today the Church is in mourning. The faithful all over the world gather in prayer for the soul of the Pope who guided them for more than a decade. Details of the funeral and solemn ritual that will accompany the Holy Father on his last earthly journey will be announced in the coming hours.
The Vatican machine is already at work: the so-called ‘Sede Vacante’ is now open, the period preceding the Conclave from which the new Pontiff will emerge. A delicate and deeply spiritual moment of transition, during which the Cardinals will be called upon to discern which face, which guide, God wants for His Church in this historic time.
“Gratitude for his example of a true disciple”.
In his announcement, Cardinal Farrell concluded with words that encapsulate the essence of Francis’ pontificate:
“With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the Triune God.”
A thanksgiving that resonates like an echo in the hearts of millions. Because beyond personal differences or sensitivities, Pope Francis has left an indelible mark on the history of the Church and the world.
