Weeks ago, when it became clear that Pope Francis’ health was failing, I thought I had come to terms with the possibility of him passing away.
When I woke up to the news that he had died, however, I realized I wasn’t prepared at all.
Yes, we knew he was elderly and battling double pneumonia. Yes, he was weak and frail. Yes, he was struggling to speak and participate in his public appearances.
But he showed up. He continued to radiate joy and love for his flock. I let myself believe that his enthusiasm for accompanying us would carry us through whatever was holding him back. I believed that because I wanted to believe it. I believed it because it was so obvious that the world needed Pope Francis. And, of course, the world still needs Pope Francis. He will simply be helping us in a different way, interceding for us from heaven.
As I reflect on who Pope Francis was for our Church and our world, I realize there are so many lessons he taught us. Here are a few I will hold onto.
- Show up. Pope Francis went to the people. He visited prisoners, not for photo ops, but on important days like Holy Thursday to wash their feet. He came to St. Peter’s Square to be with people even when his health was failing. He traveled around the world on arduous trips just to connect with people. He gave us so much through the gift of his presence.
- Live faith with joy. When I picture Pope Francis, he is always smiling. He brought so much joy to the way he lived out his faith. He loved Jesus and Mary. He loved us. He loved life. He shared his love with us in such a joyful way. He was there for us in the hard times—praying in such a powerful way for and with us during Covid. He spoke out about the problems of the world. And he lived with a love and a joy that was inspiring, life-giving.
- Love the person in front of you. Some of the most moving moments with Pope Francis involve the children who ran up to be near him in public. He welcomed them, always smiling, letting them act the way children do, giving them space to be kids. I feel like that was his approach with everyone. He expected us to strive to be good people, and his spoken and written messages called us to live with greater love and greater purpose. But he also loved us as we are. He designated a year of mercy. He recognized where we were, and he knew what we needed.
- Pray—and ask others to pray for you. I loved how Pope Francis would invite us into prayer. I loved that when he was elected pope, and he stepped out on that balcony—a stranger to us in that moment—he asked us to pray for him. He began his papacy in prayer, and inviting us to be part of that prayer. Many, many times since then, he has asked us to pray. Such a beautiful reminder that we are all connected, that our relationship with God is as important as the pope’s relationship with God, and that prayer is something we can do for one another.
- Live with hope. Pope Francis gave us many gifts in these final months of his life, including the way he poured himself out to the people, visiting with them and sharing of himself when he had so little time and energy left. But one of the greatest gifts he gave us was the Year of Hope. His passing away during the Year of Hope—and during the octave of Easter—is especially poignant. What an incredible reminder that hope is greater than death, that hope does not disappoint, and that we live for a greater purpose than anything we will encounter on earth. We are created to love and be loved by God.
We can grieve Pope Francis’ passing even though we believe in eternal life. We can miss him and all he brought to our Church and still believe he is with God. Yes, he is not suffering anymore. He is with Jesus and our Blessed Mother and so many of his loved ones.
It’s still so very hard to say goodbye. I will miss him—the light he was to the world, the warmth and joy he was to our Church. And I will cherish his leadership, his guidance and pastoral love as our shepherd, and his call to live life fully for God.
Thank you, God, for the gift of Pope Francis.
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