Franciscus PP

Jorge Mario Bergoglio 13.III.2013 – 21.IV.2025

After the first moments of uncertainty, we were able to hear the official announcement of the Pope’s death. I transcribe the words of Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell: «Dear brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the passing of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the Father’s house. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church. He taught us to live the values ​​of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we entrust the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the Triune God.

We receive this news of the death of Pope Francis with great pain. The death of a father of a family is a hard moment and numerous feelings crowd our hearts, difficult to coordinate, but in this jubilee year of hope, I would like to highlight first of all the centrality of this virtue in the Christian life. A few days ago I was reading an introduction to a book written by the Pope, where he asked himself two questions: “What will become of man after death? and What will become of me?” The aim was to transmit to us a certainty: Jesus Christ, dead and resurrected, is the open door of hope for every believer. And also for the Pope. On this Monday of the Easter Octave, we fully trust in the mercy of God, whom we beg to welcome Pope Francis into his glory and grant him the fullness of eternal life in which he believed and hoped throughout his life. A second feeling is gratitude to God for the life and ministry of Pope Francis. His twelve years of pontificate have been very fruitful in all fields, but especially in ecclesiology. The final document of the Synod of Bishops last October could be like a testament to his pontificate. Now simply communicate to all the people of God who are pilgrims in Menorca this painful news, which will also move our society, due to the immense sympathy that Pope Francis enjoyed, especially for his love and closeness to the poorest and needy. I remember the diocesan pilgrimage to Rome on the occasion of the Jubilee. We replaced the physical presence of the Pope in a scheduled audience that could not be carried out, with the visit to the Gemelli Hospital, where Pope Francis was hospitalized. They were intense moments where we experienced the deep communion of the Diocese of Menorca with the Pope. This same experience now also floods our hearts, filled with pain and open to the hope of eternal life. I ask the priests to keep this intention in mind in their celebrations, inviting the faithful to pray for the Late Pope. In due course, notice will be given about the celebration of the diocesan funeral. United in faith, hope and charity, asking for the intercession of Mary, let us remain united fraternally as the family of God in Menorca.