In the light of Easter he died as I believe he wished to die: still at the service of his ministry, after celebrating Easter, after seeing the faithful yesterday [April 20] in the square, those faithful among whom he wanted to be like the shepherd “with the smell of the sheep,” and after leaving the world words of peace, brotherhood, and communion. Words that he gave us during these days of Passion and Resurrection and that we will read again, with the sad and true awareness that they were words of farewell and of legacy. Now a different light illuminates them, a different accent animates them.
Thus Pope Francis died. And as he crossed the threshold into eternal life, in the churches of his diocese, at the first Masses of the morning, these words of the gospel resounded: “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me” [Matthew 28:10]. The words of the Risen One echo in the naves of the churches of Rome, as Pope Francis closes his earthly journey, becoming the synthesis of a ministry.
For here are the style, the words, and the actions of Francis: to leave fear behind, to proclaim, to go forth, to Galilee, the land of the peoples, beyond borders and limits. Twelve years as Pope, germinated during so many years as bishop and priest, which the Word encloses and gives to the Church and to the world. Images, gestures, choices, ruptures, paths.
In the light of Easter he died as I believe he wished to die: still at the service of his ministry, after celebrating Easter, after seeing the faithful yesterday [April 20] in the square, those faithful among whom he wanted to be like the shepherd ‘with the smell of the sheep’
There is a seal that the Father sometimes places on the lives of his servants, calling them on days that are the synthesis of a life: it happens to many men and women, faithful and blessed. Returning to the Father’s house on Easter Monday, in the proclamation of the resurrection, is the seal of the life and ministry of Pope Francis. It is the ultimate message, which sums up and illuminates; it is a gift that the Spirit reserves for his friends.
Pope Francis, a man of resurrection, a man of courage, a man of movement, beyond the limits and frailties that every person has. His legacy is enormous, and enormous is the responsibility to which the Church, the faithful, and men and women of good will are called.
It is impossible to review 12 intense years now; there will be abundant analysis and interpretation, assessments and predictions. Time will be needed. Undoubtedly, each of us who loved him carries in our hearts the words and gestures of a pope who has restored paths of humanity to the Christian faith.
Perhaps Pope Francis has made us feel less alone in this Church when we felt its weight. This alone would be enough to be grateful to him. Perhaps he has given us comfort, perhaps he has helped us to live the gospel more faithfully.
The Word that accompanied Pope Francis’ sudden death on Easter Monday also speaks of opposition: He encountered it, aggressive and malicious opposition, but this is precisely the destiny of the Word, from the day of the Incarnation, from the day of the Resurrection.
As we sadly embrace Pope Francis for the last time, we also feel immense gratitude for having had him as our shepherd, for having felt him as our shepherd, for having felt in him the echo of the Spirit, for having restored hope and trust, for having reminded us at every turn that God’s mercy is a tent for all, that the peripheries are places where God speaks, that hearts are places where God dwells.
Father Joseba Kamiruaga Mieza, CMF
