My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today, on this Easter Monday, we arise from our rest at the announcement of the death of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. This holy man led us to the core of our faith, the heart of God. His legacy is always to lead us, as Christ does for us, as our Blessed Mother advocates, as all the saints offer, the treasure of God’s love. His challenge to us was to seek things from above, not from this earth. Time and time again, he called us to listen to one another, to open our eyes to the dignity and sacredness of each person, to love one another as Jesus loves us. He asked us to be instruments of the Peace of the Lord, not from an earthly view; but from the extraordinary forgiveness which heals wounds and lays to rest sorrows.

Now, as we pray for the repose of his soul, we also ask God to guide us to extend His tender mercy to one another. We pray that we journey as pilgrims of hope in the Lord all our days. May we be transfigured, as Pope Francis prayed, into tireless cultivators of the seed of the Gospel that heaven and earth become one.

Many of you may ask, ‘what is next?’ I suggest that Pope Francis would say, ‘Do not weep for me. Do not delay in the work of the Lord; rather go forth and be Christ to one another.’

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. Amen