Remembering Pope Francis: A Shepherd of Mercy and Mission
Date posted on April 22, 2025
On April 21, 2025, Pope Francis completed his earthly pilgrimage and returned to the Father. From the moment he was elected in 2013, he led the People of God with humility, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the Gospel. As the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to hold the papacy, he brought a distinctive pastoral spirit — rooted in mercy and a profound concern for the poor and the marginalized.
From the earliest days of his pontificate, Pope Francis called the Church to be one that “goes forth” — a Church not content to remain within its own walls, but one willing to reach the peripheries of society. He gave voice to the forgotten, the excluded, and the suffering: the poor, the elderly, migrants, and those whose pain often goes unseen. His journeys around the world gave witness to this mission, as he stood in places of conflict and poverty, offering gestures of peace, words of justice, and a deep compassion that transcended borders.
One of the defining moments of his papacy came in 2015 with the release of Laudato Si’, an encyclical that echoed the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. Grounded in the Church’s social teaching, it reminded all people of goodwill of our shared responsibility to care for creation and to defend the dignity of every human being, especially the most vulnerable. Its impact was far-reaching, inspiring dialogue and action not only within the Church but across global communities.
Mass for Pope Francis
All are welcome to join us for Mass on Wednesday, April 23 at 12:00 Noon in the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King, Hamilton.
For many in Canada, a particularly profound moment came in 2022 when Pope Francis undertook a “pilgrimage of penance,” travelling across the country to meet with Indigenous peoples. There, he listened to the voices of survivors of residential schools and offered a sincere and moving apology on behalf of the Church. It was a step toward healing long-standing wounds and renewing the path of reconciliation.
Throughout his ministry, Pope Francis continually emphasized the importance of walking together as the People of God. Through the global Synod on Synodality, he invited the Church into a deeper spirit of listening and discernment, encouraging dialogue among bishops, clergy, religious, and lay faithful alike. He envisioned a Church that hears the voice of the Holy Spirit not only through its leaders but through the faithful gathered in communion.
As we now remember and give thanks for the life and ministry of Pope Francis, we are reminded of the witness he offered: a Church reaching outward, a Gospel lived with joy, a shepherd who never stopped walking with his flock. May we honour his legacy by continuing to seek Christ in the faces of the poor, by caring for our common home, by building bridges of reconciliation, and by walking together in faith and hope.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.