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Our Pastor on the Passing of Pope Francis

“Peace be with you.”

These are the first words Jesus speaks to His disciples in today’s Gospel. Behind locked doors, afraid and uncertain, they are met not with rebuke, but with mercy. A mercy focused on peace, healing, and mission.

This Divine Mercy Sunday arrives at a time of sorrow and reflection. Just days ago, Pope Francis was called home to God. For over a decade, he served as a humble shepherd, a man of deep compassion and unwavering trust in the mercy of Christ. Now we commend him to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, praying for his soul and giving thanks for his life.

With the Chair of Peter vacant, we also turn to the Holy Spirit and pray for the College of Cardinals as they prepare to gather in conclave to elect a new pope from their ranks. In this moment, we are invited to trust, just as the Apostles once did. They, too, began their mission in fear and confusion—until the Risen Christ appeared and breathed His Spirit upon them.

So too now, Christ comes to us. His mercy has not failed. His Spirit has not left the Church.

Pope Francis reminded us often: “The name of God is Mercy.” May he rest in that mercy as we, the Church, continue to be witnesses of it.

Let us pray for Pope Francis’ repose, for the Cardinals gathering in Rome, and for our next Holy Father. And may the words of Jesus resound in every season of change:

“Peace be with you.”

Faithfully yours,

Fr. Freitag