A LASTING TESTAMENT OF LOVE AND SERVICE

On Easter Monday, 21 April 2025, as the Church celebrated the Resurrection of Christ, heaven welcomed a humble and holy shepherd - Pope Francis, the 266th successor of St. Peter. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he returned to his heavenly home at the age of 88. Elected on 13 March 2013, Pope Francis touched countless lives during his 12 remarkable years as Pope.

Pope Francis has truly been my favourite Pope, thus far! He was profoundly down-to-earth, deeply pastoral, and radically committed to the less fortunate. I have had the privilege of serving under three Popes: Saint Pope John Paul II (for 2 years), Pope Benedict XVI (for 8 years), and Pope Francis (for 12 years) and it is Pope Francis who has really touched my heart in a special way. His simplicity, authenticity and unwavering love for the marginalised made the Gospel come alive.

Pope Francis holds a special place in history as the first Jesuit Pope, the first from Latin America, and the first to adopt the name Francis, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi. This name truly reflects the significance of his papacy. He has always shown deep compassion for those often overlooked, such as the forgotten, the voiceless, and the broken. He instituted the World Day of the Poor and the World Day of the Elderly to remind the global Church to focus on assisting those in need. This year, we are excited to celebrate the 8th World Day of the Poor, which stands as a lasting testament to his vision and compassion!

I remember catching a glimpse of him from a distance, during a Wednesday General Audience in Rome on one of my pilgrimages. Although I never had a personal encounter, I felt his warmth. He radiated a vibrant spirit through the crowd. Pope Francis was not only a leader for 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, but also a spiritual father to humanity. He championed environmental care, human fraternity, and synodality. His five major encyclicals shaped our understanding of faith and social justice.

These teachings led the People of God to embrace faith in word and action, building bridges, healing wounds within families, and journeying together in synodality. Above all, Pope Francis was the brainchild behind the Synod of Synodality – a vision of the Church as communion, participation and mission. He called the Church to journey together, to listen deeply, and to recognise the Spirit at work in every person. He elevated the Church to new heights, not through power, but through humility - to journey together, to uplift the poor, and to love without borders.

He is the first Pope buried outside St. Peter’s Basilica, finding a peaceful resting place in St. Mary Major Basilica. This special choice reflected his love for Our Lady, and his closeness to the people, as it is the Marian sanctuary he often visited for quiet moments of prayer.

Rest in peace, Jorge Mario Bergoglio – Pope Francis. You truly were a shepherd who smelled like his sheep, and a disciple who followed in the footsteps of Christ.