As I prepare to depart for a pilgrimage with brother priests and our Bishop to France this week for the celebration of a 400th Anniversary with his Vincentian confrères, it is with the heaviness and uncertainty that comes from the death of Pope Francis, in the midst of our celebration of Easter. A number of our parishioners were privileged to be in the presence of the Pope at an audience in Rome this past February. At the time, it was clear he was already struggling with his health, as at the audience, he was not able to deliver his prepared catechetical remarks himself, delegating them to be read. And yet, as he departed the audience and was mingling amongst the people who were there from around the world, his very palpable joy at being with the gathered Church lit up the entire hall.

Bishop O'Connell has given a wonderful reflection on Pope Francis both as the Vicar of Christ for the last 13 years and his personal recollections of the times he met him, which I encourage you to read. His words are echoed by numerous commentaries, both from within and outside the Church, that have been released since Monday morning.

For me, as a priest of nearly 15 years, even though I was brought up in and discovered a priestly vocation in the time of Pope Saint John Paul II and was educated during and by Pope Benedict XVI, who was the Pope at the time of my ordination, Francis has been the consistent presence for the vast majority of my time as a priest, and whom I’ve prayed for every day, especially in the sacrifice of the Mass. His life and ministry will be exhaustively chronicled over the next few weeks, as will the Church’s process of electing a new Supreme Pontiff.

As I reflect on the Pope of so much of my priesthood, I am struck by his pastoral sense, his easy comfort and rapport with the people he served, and his obvious discomfort with the trappings and formality of the office thrust upon him. His papacy has inspired me in my own personal prayer and my understanding of the world and of God. It also challenged and confounded me at times, as what he said and emphasized would often force me to re-evaluate my own priorities and break free from my comfort zones.

As a Church, we mourn the loss of a shepherd, but as an Easter people, we have confidence in the eternal reward given to those who live faithful and good lives. We commend Pope Francis to God, we thank God for his ministry, and we mourn as only a people of faith and hope can do, confident in the grace of Resurrection in this Easter week. It is only then, after that time of prayer, mourning, and also thanksgiving, that we will turn to the Holy Spirit and ask for guidance as the Church prepares to elect the next Bishop of Rome and Vicar of Christ.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.