Above: A parishioner spends time in prayer before the framed picture of Pope Francis after Mass. Sun Photo | Chuck Wainwright
By Tami S. Scott, editor
In the early morning hours of April 21, Easter Monday, the world learned of the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88. Though frail and ill for some time, the news came unexpectedly. Pope Francis made his last public appearance on Easter Sunday, offering a blessing following Mass at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. He appeared on the balcony over the basilica entrance for more than 20 minutes.
Hours after the announcement, Bishop Douglas J. Lucia and Bishop-emeritus Robert J. Cunningham concelebrated Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
In his homily, Bishop Lucia quoted part of the pope’s Urbi et Orbi message on Easter Sunday, emphasizing God’s mercy and the Resurrection as the foundation of Christian hope.
“Pope Francis, in his Easter message just yesterday, said:
‘Sisters and brothers, especially those of you experiencing pain and sorrow, your silent cry has been heard and your tears have been counted; not one of them has been lost! In the passion and death of Jesus, God has taken upon himself all the evil in this world and in his infinite mercy has defeated it. He has uprooted the diabolical pride that poisons the human heart and wreaks violence and corruption on every side. The Lamb of God is victorious! That is why, today, we can joyfully cry out: Christ, my hope, has risen!
‘The Resurrection of Jesus is indeed the basis of our hope. For in the light of this event, hope is no longer an illusion. Thanks to Christ — crucified and risen from the dead — hope does not disappoint! Spes non confundit! (cf. Rom 5:5). That hope is not an evasion, but a challenge; it does not delude, but empowers us.
All those who put their hope in God place their feeble hands in his strong and mighty hand; they let themselves be raised up and set out on a journey. Together with the risen Jesus, they become pilgrims of hope, witnesses of the victory of love and of the disarmed power of Life.’”
Bishop concluded with a prayer for Pope Francis and a call to experience the joy of the Resurrection.
