Please pray for the repose of the soul of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, who died at 7.35am this morning. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him, may he rest in peace.
Born on 17 December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jorge Mario Bergoglio assumed the papacy on 13 March 2013, taking the name, Francis, and becoming the 266th Bishop of Rome. His election marked a historic moment as he became the first pope from the Americas.
Pope Francis will be remembered for his humility, pastoral care, and unwavering dedication to the poor and marginalised.
Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis consistently emphasised the importance of mercy, compassion, and social justice; his pastoral outreach extended to the most vulnerable, including migrants, refugees, and victims of human trafficking.
As the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis showed a profound commitment to ecumenism, promoting unity among Christians and dialogue with other faiths; and his papal encyclical, named after the opening line of St Francis’s ‘Canticle of Creation’, Laudato Si’, emphasised the need for a renewed understanding of environmental stewardship, underlining the interconnectedness of all creation and the responsibility to care for our common home.
Pope Francis’s leadership was characterised by a deep pastoral sensitivity, a heart for the poor, and a call for the Church to be a “field hospital” that heals the wounds of humanity with the balm of God’s love; thus, his papacy was a testament to his belief that the Church must go out to the peripheries and be a beacon of hope and compassion in the world.
Information about special liturgies at St George’s Cathedral will follow shortly - here.
A book of condolences is available in the Cathedral.