Last Christmas Eve, Pope Francis became the first pilgrim to pass through the Holy Door of St Peter's Basilica. From the central balcony of that same Basilica, he imparted his blessing "to the city and the world" on Easter Sunday. In the joy of Easter, he returned to the Father's house the following morning, thus completing his pilgrimage of hope in this world. A journey of hope from the crib to the cross - hope in the Risen Lord!
Pope Francis, who died in the hope of the resurrection, now awaits the resurrection of the body, entombed in the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome. He wanted his tomb to be made with material from the land of his ancestors in the Italian region of Liguria. Just before the burial, the pallbearers stopped in front of the icon of Our Lady, Salus Popoli Romani (Health of the Roman People), where Pope Francis prayed on numerous occasions since the beginning of his papacy. In this Holy Year, in which we fulfil the requirements for the Jubilee Indulgence by praying for the intentions of the Holy Father, we can offer prayers and sacrifices for the eternal repose of the soul of Pope Francis.
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| Among the concelebrating priests at the Funeral Mass on 26 April 2025 "With Peter and under Peter" Photo: Vatican Media |
The days leading up to the funeral had everyone reflecting on the life and witness of Jorge Mario Bergoglio whose papacy lasted 12 years. From the start when he greeted the world wearing only the white cassock, we knew that things were going to be done a little differently. A pope of firsts, his words and gestures, like that of the humble poverello of Assisi, have been often misunderstood. But there was no stopping to this pope of surprises. Francis the merciful carried out his petrine ministry like one who had a clear mandate - bringing about a revolution of love and compassion. Back home we'd say that Pope Francis embodied ubuntu. We could all take a leaf out of his book to live better the gospel of the Lord Jesus, the face of the Father's mercy.
To understand the late Holy Father's modus operandi, one must consider the context in which the Pope's theological ideas grew and where his understanding of the church matured, rooted in the popular religiosity of the Latin-American people and his own Jesuit formation. The Argentine Pope (who never returned to his homeland after being elected bishop of Rome) embraced a theology of the people of God (of the Second Vatican Council), seeing the church as a community of missionary disciples. Coming from the peripheries, Francis sought to embrace and listen to those on the margins of society, advocating for justice and peace in the whole world. The various Jubilee celebrations throughout this year, including one for the poor, bear testimony to this.
One could only imagine that the Magisterium of Pope Francis will have a major impact on the theological work of those of us currently studying in Rome. The funeral homily of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re made for a fitting tribute to an intense papacy, inviting us to take up the baton of hope from Papa Francesco in this Jubilee Year. Even after his death, we should remember that "they that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles' wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint" (Is 40:31).
The nine days of mourning from the day of the Pope's burial also serves as a novena in preparation for the Conclave (set to begin on 7 May). At least 18 cardinals from Africa, including South Africa's Stephen Brislin, will be part of the 135 trusted men (exceeding the usual number of 120) from around the world who will, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, elect the 266th successor of the Apostle Peter. Christ, the Chief Shepherd, does not abandon his church. We might never have another Franciscus but we will certainly have another Pope with whom we will continue our journey together as the people of God on mission in the world.
The Pilgrim
Fr Runaine James Radine
28 April 2025
