As I watched the transition of the earthly remains of Pope Francis from the chapel in the Casa Santa Marta to Saint Perer’s Basilica, I am reminded of the very humble and simple man that he was. He lived the real-life version of Divine Mercy in his daily life. He was not afraid to have hard conversations with people and with the Curia.
He called on us to show love and compassion to all people, including those so marginalized in society such as LGBTQIA+ individuals, women, immigrants, and the poor and homeless. He embraced those who were disabled and those who struggled in their daily lives.
He did not shirk away from extending his hand to those who needed love the most. One of the things that frustrated the Swiss Guard and the conservatives in the church was that he would disappear from the Vatican to go out into Rome to serve the poor and homeless. He washed the feet of transgender individuals on Holy Thursday in an act of compassion and understanding.
He embraced those who were sick without concern for his own wellbeing. He was a modern version of Saint Francis of Assisi, our patron saint. He may have been a Jesuit, but to many of us Franciscans, he was one of us.
This Sunday we will honor his life and legacy at our parish. We will pray for the repose of his soul and pray that God blesses us with a new Bishop of Rome who will follow in Pope Francis’ footsteps. We may not be Roman Catholic, but as Old Catholics, Pope Francis spoke our language. He understood what it meant to be a pastor, shepherd, and still be a normal human being.
I pray you will join us for this celebration and to learn about the Divine Mercy of our Savior as Pope Francis understood it.
Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
Pax et Bonum,
Bishop Greer