The Paulist Fathers remember Pope Francis

Monday in the Octave of Easter
April 21, 2025

The Paulist Fathers join all those around the world who are praying now in thanksgiving to God for the blessed life and ministry of His Holiness, Pope Francis.

Pope Francis was a tangible sign of God’s love for the world and evidence of the enduring presence of the Holy Spirit.

Pope Francis challenged the Church and all people to go beyond the expected and the comfortable to be truly present to, and in his words to “accompany,” those whom the world often forgets.

The poor, the imprisoned, migrants, refugees, and those who feel unwelcome or unloved in any way all had a special place in the heart of Pope Francis. And he wanted them to be in our hearts, too. In fact, he made a clarion call for all of humanity to think and act as if we are indeed all brothers and sisters.

“Todos! Todos! Todos!” he cried. God’s love is for everyone, the late pope reminded us.

For Pope Francis, the Church is a field hospital. He wanted a Church that is dirty and bruised because it takes risks to heal the wounds of souls – and to share the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Pope Francis invited us to really listen to one another, especially to those with whom we disagree. He modeled a new way of walking together on the journey as one, essentially offering a new vision of what it means to be church, the Body of Christ.

How blessed we have been to live in the age of Pope Francis! May God’s Holy Spirit fill us with the inspiration, creativity, and courage to continue his mission!