Homily...Pope Francis' Funeral...

Homily of His Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re - Pope Francis' Funeral

In this majestic Saint Peter’s Square, where Pope Francis celebrated the Eucharist so many times and presided over great gatherings over the past twelve years, we are gathered with sad hearts in prayer around his mortal remains. Yet, we are sustained by the certainty of faith, which assures us that human existence does not end in the tomb, but in the Father’s house, in a life of happiness that will know no end.

On behalf of the College of Cardinals, I cordially thank all of you for your presence. With deep emotion, I extend respectful greetings and heartfelt thanks to the Heads of State, Heads of Government and Official Delegations who have come from many countries to express their affection, veneration and esteem for our late Holy Father.

The outpouring of affection that we have witnessed in recent days following his passing from this earth into eternity tells us how much the profound pontificate of Pope Francis touched minds and hearts.

The final image we have of him, which will remain etched in our memory, is that of last Sunday, Easter Sunday, when Pope Francis, despite his serious health problems, wanted to give us his blessing from the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica. He then came down to this Square to greet the large crowd gathered for the Easter Mass while riding in the open-top Popemobile.

With our prayers, we now entrust the soul of our beloved Pontiff to God, that he may grant him eternal happiness in the bright and glorious gaze of his immense love.

We are enlightened and guided by the passage of the Gospel, in which the very voice of Christ resounded, asking the first of the Apostles: “Peter, do you love me more than these?” Peter’s answer was prompt and sincere: “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!” Jesus then entrusted him with the great mission: “Feed my sheep.” This will be the constant task of Peter and his successors, a service of love in the footsteps of Christ, our Master and Lord, who “came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45).

Despite his frailty and suffering towards the end, Pope Francis chose to follow this path of self-giving until the last day of his earthly life. He followed in the footsteps of his Lord, the Good Shepherd, who loved his sheep to the point of giving his life for them. And he did so with strength and serenity, close to his flock, the Church of God, mindful of the words of Jesus quoted by the Apostle Paul: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

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Novemdiales...

The first day of the Novemdiales will be marked by Pope Francis’ funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square at 10:00 AM.

In the following days, celebrants for the Novemdiales Masses will be as follows (all times are local time in Rome - GMT +2):

-  Second Day: Sunday, April 27, at 10:30 AM in St. Peter’s Square. The Mass will be presided by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the group will be the employees and faithful of Vatican City.

-  Third Day: Monday, April 28, at 5:00 PM in St. Peter’s Basilica. Mass will be presided by Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome, and the group will be the Church of Rome.

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Remembering the Legacy of Pope Francis...

By Fr. Joseph Royan, C.Ss.R.

A Pope of Firsts

It’s hard to put the legacy of Pope Francis into words. He was the first Jesuit to be elected Pope, the first from the Americas, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the first from the southern hemisphere. His election marked a shift in the Church’s focus to the global south, where Catholicism is growing rapidly. He was also the first non-European Pope in over 1200 years, the last being Pope Gregory III in the 8th century from Syria.

Pope Francis was the first to take the name Francis, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, symbolizing humility, poverty, care for the poor, and the environment. His life has been one of simplicity and humility, choosing to live in the simple guesthouse of Casa Santa Marta instead of the Apostolic Palace. He worked to bring about reform in the Church, whether it was in Vatican finances, calling for financial transparency, seeking forgiveness for the sexual abuse scandal, or reforming the administration by appointing women to high positions in the Vatican.

A Reformer and Bridge-Builder

Pope Francis was the first Pope to appoint a woman to head a Vatican department: Sister Simona Brambilla as Prefect of the Dicastery for Consecrated Life. He promoted inter-religious dialogue and care for our common home, Mother Earth. His encyclical “Laudato Si” was well received and appreciated by people of all faiths, spurring a movement toward sustainable development and integral ecology.

He was an apostle of mercy, hope, and inclusiveness, reaching out to everyone, especially the poor, the elderly, the disabled, refugees, migrants, prisoners, the marginalized, and those on the margins of society. He made no distinctions and worked to build an inclusive church where all feel welcome. The last two synods on synodality were his attempt to pave the way for greater participation of lay people and women in church governance.

Pope Francis challenged world leaders to work for social justice and equality. He urged the ethical use of artificial intelligence and technology that enhances and promotes human dignity. His papacy was one of building bridges, promoting unity and harmony. He prayed every day for peace in the world and worked hard to negotiate peace and end conflicts, including the war between Russia and Ukraine and the conflict between Palestine and Israel.

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