April 24, 2025

“On this day, I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas! For all of us are children of God!”

Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio), Bishop of Rome – 1936-2025

This week (Tuesday) I spoke with a buddy from high school.  Both he and I profess to be people of faith. He is Jewish, and I a protestant Christian. In our far-ranging conversation about the state of our country and world, we expressed our shared sorrow and admiration for the life and ministry of Pope Francis. It is statements like the above, taken from his Easter message delivered the day before his passing on Monday, that made him appreciated both by the Catholic Church he led and people of faith around the world. Please join me here in a prayer of Thanksgiving for Pope Francis’ life and his prolific witness and ministry:

Gracious and Loving God,
We give You thanks for the life of Pope Francis, 
A shepherd who led with humility,
Who, like his namesake, walked among the poor and marginalized, 
embodying the love that You call us to share.

We thank You for his unwavering commitment to inclusion, 
reminding us that every soul is worthy of compassion and dignity.
In the face of a changing climate, he echoed the cries of our Earth, 
urging us to be stewards of Your creation 
and to mend the wounds inflicted upon our planet.

With deep gratitude,
we honor his desire to leave this Earth not just as it is, 
but as a legacy of beauty for all generations to come. 
May his vision inspire us to remember
Your tapestry of splendor
Weaving the common and holy,
and may we continue to foster a world
Where every voice is heard, and every life is cherished.

Remembering his life and witness
May we cultivate hearts of service, 
engaging in the work of justice and peace. 
May we carry forth his teachings boldly, 
using our hands to heal,
using our words to uplift,
and using our spirits to ignite love in the world.

Giving thanks to You 
For the life of Pope Francis,
May we be inspired and empowered by You 
To carry forth his message and his witness,
Through the Risen Christ we pray, Amen.