Pray for Pope Francis!
According to Catholic News Agency,
“Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time on Easter Monday, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, as confirmed by the Holy See Press Office. The 88-year-old pontiff led the Catholic Church for a little more than 12 years.”
Here are 15 quotes from Pope Francis to meditate on as the Church mourns his passing:
“Jesus’ love goes before us, his look anticipates our needs. He can see beyond appearances, beyond sin, beyond failures and unworthiness. He sees beyond our rank in society. He sees beyond this, to our dignity as sons and daughters, a dignity at times sullied by sin, but one which endures in the depth of our soul. He came precisely to seek out all those who feel unworthy of God, unworthy of others.” (Cuba/U.S. Visit, 2015)
"A touch of mercy transforms everything. It is the most profound feeling we can have: It alters the world." (First Angelus prayer, March 17, 2013)
"The Eucharist 'is not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.'" (Amoris Laetitia, April 8, 2016)
"Dear young people, do not be afraid of making decisive choices in life. Have faith; the Lord will not abandon you!"
“Every step, every effort, every test, every fall and every recovery has a sense within God’s design for salvation, as He wants life – not death – and joy – not pain – for His people.” (Ash Wednesday General Audience, 2017)
"A vocation flows from the heart of God and blossoms in the good soil of faithful people." (World Day of Prayer for Vocations 2014)
"The Lord never tires of forgiving. It is we who tire of asking for forgiveness."
"Please do not water down your faith in Jesus Christ. ... Faith is whole and entire, not something that you water down. It is faith in Jesus. It is faith in the son of God made man, who loved me and who died for me." (World Youth Day, July 25, 2013)
"Mercy: the bridge that connects God and humanity, opening our hearts to the hope of being loved forever despite our sinfulness." (Misericordiae Vultus, April 11, 2015)
"We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented... all of us called to row together." (Prayer during COVID-19 pandemic, March 27, 2020)
"Jesus keeps knocking on our door in the faces of our brothers and sisters, in the faces of our neighbors, in the faces of those at our side."
"The devil exists even in the 21st century and we shouldn't be naive. ... We have to learn from the Gospel how to fight against him.” (Homily, April 11, 2014)
"The confessional must not be a torture chamber, but an encounter with the Lord's mercy." (Amoris Laetitia, April 8, 2016)
“Faith makes us open to the quiet presence of God at every moment of our lives, in every person and in every situation.” (Cuba/U.S. Visit, 2015)
"Joy springs from a grateful heart." (Sept. 23, 2015)
Prayer for a Deceased Pope
God, Who, in Thine ineffable providence, didst will that Thy servant Francis ... should be numbered among the high priests; grant, we beseech Thee, that he, who on earth held the place of Thine only-begotten Son, may be joined forevermore to the fellowship of Thy holy pontiffs. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.