Francis, You Will Be Missed

It's an extremely sad day for all who admired Pope Francis and all the positive aspects of humanity that he represented. 

Goodness in this world has lost one of its strongest and most steadfast proponents.  

It seemed appropriate this morning to use a portion of the story about the Pope's death, which was written by Cindy Wooden, a close family friend and a Sandpoint High grad who has covered the news of Popes since 1989 for the Catholic News Service. 

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis has died April 21 at the age of 88.

The pope died at 7:35 a.m. Rome time, U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, announced. Pope Francis gave new energy to millions of Catholics — and caused concern for some — as he transformed the image of the papacy into a pastoral ministry based on personal encounters and strong convictions about mission, poverty, immigration and dialogue.

“His whole life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and his church,” Cardinal Farrell said in a video announcement broadcast from the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where Pope Francis lived and where he was recovering from pneumonia and respiratory infections. He had been released from Rome’s Gemelli hospital March 23 after more than five weeks of treatment.

Pope Francis “taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized,” Cardinal Farrell said. “With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the Triune God.”

The day before his death, the pope had appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to give his Easter blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world). His voice was weak and he had trouble raising his arm to make the sign of the cross, but afterward he got into the popemobile and drove through the crowds in St. Peter’s Square. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Pope Francis enjoys a chuckle on the Papal jet with Cindy Wooden, Vatican Bureau Chief for Catholic News Service

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Remarkable that a gravely ill Pope Francis lived just long enough to issue one more impassioned Easter plea for peace, for justice, for compassion for the most vulnerable. 

Let his final earthly words be a prod to the consciences of our leaders and all mankind.

                        ---David Axelrod

I loved and followed all that Pope Francis stood for.  

His words, his deeds, his humanity and his inspirational and spiritual leadership kept the not-so-good Catholics like me in the loop.  Plus, he inspired so many from other religions. 

This morning, while still pondering the shock and sadness of Pope Francis' death, I can't help but think of all the symbolism involved with his last day on Earth. 

Many lessons to be learned from all of those events as we contemplate.  

And, so much inspiration!

Francis's passing is a profound loss in a world encumbered by darkness. 

May the light of his life and what he meant to so many of us shine brighter than ever.  

RIP, Pope Francis.  

You were a good man of God.