Pope Francis, requiscat in pace

Hopefully, as the news of Pope Francis' death sinks in, I will be able to post some thoughts later this week. I think it a great grace that he died on Easter Monday. Of course, we observe the Easter Octave as one day. So, Jorge Mario Bergoglio died on Easter.

I already miss him. I think his voice is needed now more than ever. God thought otherwise. I will go with God.

I have been praying fervently each day since he was hospitalized for his full recovery. That was not to be. But I am glad he was able to leave hospital and return to the Vatican, making his way back to the Casa Santa Marta, where he lived after becoming pope. He never moved into the Papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace.

At least to me, Francis' papacy had the feel of a pilgrimmage, a mission. He has now completed his pilgrimmage of hope. Pilgrimmage of hope is an apt desciption of each Christian's life.

After his return to the Vatican- I won't say "home" for two reasons: Buenos Aires was his earthly home and now he is truly home in the house of the Father- I was most moved by the Holy Father's willingness to show his vulnerability, his humanity, over the last few weeks of his life. In this he was truly the Vicar of Christ, the Crucified.

I find it somewhat sad that after leaving Buenos Aires for Rome in March 2013, after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, he never returned either to Buenos Aires or even to Argentina. This despite visiting South America four times as pope.

O God, immortal shepherd of souls,
look on your people’s prayers
and grant that your servant Pope Francis,
who presided over your Church in charity,
may, with the flock entrusted to his care,
receive from your mercy
the reward of a faithful steward.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen
(from the Roman Missal)