Bishops across the Midlands pay tribute to Pope Francis
Bishops from across the Midlands region have paid tribute to Pope Francis and reflected on his legacy following the death of the leader of the Catholic Church on Monday.
The Bishop of Killaloe, Tullamore native Fintan Monahan, was appointed by Pope Francis in 2016. In a statement this week, he said the Pontiff "exuded warmth, friendliness and pastoral zeal".
"Pope Francis had a profound impact on the whole world as a spiritual leader and humble pastor," said Bishop Monahan.
"From the simple greeting, moments after his appointment, along with his warm smile and asking people to pray for him he won over the hearts of so many.
"A deeply prayerful and spiritual man, care for the environment, emigrants, refugees, safeguarding children, peace, ecumenism, interfaith dialogue and the synodal way of being Church were to the foremost of his agenda during his fruitful papacy.
"His spiritual and pastoral legacy is immense," Bishop Monahan said.
In his tribute, Bishop of Meath, Tom Deenihan, said Pope Francis was a man of “humility, passion and courage”, and he also reflected on the timing of the Argentinian native's passing on Easter Monday.
“There was something appropriate in his passing on Easter Monday,” said Bishop Deenihan, who pointed out that, with the Church celebrating the Resurrection, the Pope had been at Saint Peter’s Square the day before to give a blessing to the Church, the city and the world.
“As we mourn him, may we be mindful of his challenge to us to care for the marginalised, the poor, our common home, the need to see beyond our own reality, the need to enlarge our tent and the call to holiness and the joy of the gospel.
“At the Funeral of Pope Benedict in January 2023, Francis said that ‘Like the Master, the shepherd bears the burden of interceding and anointing his people , especially in the situations where goodness must struggle to prevail and the dignity of our brothers and sisters is threatened’.
“Pope Francis certainly undertook that office of shepherd and was continually praying for peace in the Ukraine, Gaza and other places, all too many, where ordinary people found their lives upended by conflict.
“They surely feel a great loss (with his passing),” Bishop Deenihan said.
The Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, Paul Connell, said he was “deeply saddened” by the death of “our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis.”
“Care, respect and compassion were at the heart of his pontificate and he had a special affinity with the poor and those with special needs,” said Bishop Connell.
“He challenged us as Christians to take responsibility for, and look after, the least in our societies, to maintain solidarity with one another and in particular to look after refugees fleeing from war and economic want.”
The funeral of the 88-year-old pontiff will take place tomorrow (Saturday).