With the passing of Pope Francis, the world bids farewell to a shepherd who led with mercy, humility, and a profound love for all humanity. Since his election in 2013, he brought a renewed spirit of compassion and inclusiveness to the Catholic Church.
His papacy was marked by powerful calls for justice, care for the poor and the planet, and a Church that embraces rather than excludes. Through his life and teachings, he reminded us that true faith is expressed in love, service, and hope.
Light in Darkness: Faith and Joy
Pope Francis began his papacy by completing Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith), a letter initiated by Pope Benedict XVI. It taught that faith is a guiding light that brings clarity amidst confusion, growing through love and within the community.
Soon after, he released Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), urging the Church to share God’s love with urgency and joy. He envisioned the Church as a “field hospital”—a place of healing rather than judgment.
Mercy at the Center
Mercy was the heartbeat of Francis’ message. In Misericordiae Vultus (The Face of Mercy, 2015), he declared mercy as “the beating heart of the Gospel” and launched a Jubilee Year of Mercy. His vision was of a Church where everyone feels loved, forgiven, and welcomed.
In Misericordia et Misera (Mercy and Misery, 2016), he reflected on Jesus’ gentle response to the woman caught in adultery, encouraging the Church to extend compassion rather than condemnation.
A Voice for the Earth and the Poor
In Laudato Si’ (Praise Be to You, 2015), Pope Francis called for urgent care of “our common home,” linking environmental degradation with the suffering of the poor.
Eight years later, Laudate Deum (Praise God, 2023) sounded a prophetic alarm over the slow and inadequate global response to the climate crisis, calling all people—especially world leaders—to decisive action.
Fraternity Without Borders
In Fratelli Tutti (All Brothers and Sisters, 2020), Francis addressed a world divided by fear and inequality. Inspired by St. Francis of Assisi and the parable of the Good Samaritan, he called for a culture of encounter, solidarity, and global fraternity.
Accompanying Families, the Young, and the Marginalised
Francis deeply valued families, youth, and the forgotten. In Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love, 2016), he reflected on the beauty and challenges of family life, calling the Church to accompany rather than judge.
In Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad, 2018), he reminded the faithful that holiness is for all—found in love, humility, and the everyday Beatitudes.
In Christus Vivit (Christ is Alive, 2019), he encouraged young people to dream big and take their place in the Church. Meanwhile, Querida Amazonia (Beloved Amazon, 2020) highlighted the dignity of indigenous peoples and the urgent need to protect their lands.
He also addressed painful wounds, notably the sexual abuse crisis, with a commitment to truth, repentance, and justice.
Hope That Does Not Disappoint
As the Church looks to the Jubilee Year 2025, Pope Francis released Spes Non Confundit (Hope Does Not Disappoint, 2024), affirming that hope in Christ remains firm even in a world marred by suffering and despair.
The Little Way of Love
In La Ceste Confiance (This Confidence, 2023), he drew on the wisdom of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Carmelite saint known for her “little way” of doing small things with great love. Her childlike trust became a model for living with simplicity and love in uncertain times.
A Pope for Our Time
Pope Francis did not merely preach love and mercy—he lived them. He was a voice for the voiceless and a shepherd who walked with his people.
As we mourn his passing, we remember not only a Church leader but a spiritual father and true witness of the Gospel. His voice may now be silent, but his legacy continues in every act of kindness, every call for justice, and every prayer for peace.
Pope Francis has returned to the Father he loved so deeply. May his light of mercy, hope, and justice continue to inspire generations to come.
Br. Malvino Alfonso, OCD, is a member of the Karnataka-Goa Province of the Discalced Carmelites, based at Avila Jyothi, Peddem-Mapusa. He serves as the Regional Vocation Promoter of the Carmelites.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
