Celebrating the gifts of the papacy of Pope Francis – warm, generous and challenging
In a letter of condolence to the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) assured them of the prayerful support of the Christian family of churches in Australia that, together with our Catholic sisters and brothers, feel a shared loss of Pope Francis as a shepherd, witness, servant and pilgrim in our journey of common faith in our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, Saviour of the world.
Rev John Gilmore, NCCA President, noted that “Pope Francis was also an ecumenical leader and we are grateful for his sensitivity to the needs of the poor and marginalised and his challenge to us to extend and deepen our compassion and mercy with them.”
“Human warmth, humility and humour marked Pope Francis’s relationships and he was willing to stand up to power in pursuit of justice, peace and care of creation” Rev Gilmore wrote.
As the Catholic Bishops in Australia gather to meet in Plenary Council from 1 May 2025, during the official nine day period of mourning for Pope Francis, the NCCA President “offered our continuing prayerful support at this time of loss and reflection for you all” on behalf of the national family of Christian Churches in Australia.
NCCA President Rev Gilmore also wrote a letter to His Eminence, Bishop Mykola Cardinal Bychok, Eparch for Ukrainian Catholics in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, to convey that “we offer our prayerful support and encouragement to you as you prepare for and join your fellow cardinals in the coming conclave.”
“The work of the conclave is important to us all, and we trust that you will feel the support and encouragement of the churches in Australia as you join with other cardinals in your work of discernment. May the Holy Spirit grant you wisdom and peace” said Rev Gilmore.
In other tributes and reflections on Pope Francis’s pontificate, the World Council of Churches described Pope Francis as an “ecumenical prophet of mercy” in a statement acknowledging his death on 21 April 2025.
Others reflected on Pope Francis’s joy at his final appearance when his Easter Message to the World, Urbi et Orbi was read out to the crowd in St Peter’s Square on 20 April 2025. In his message and blessing Pope Francis had written that “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!”
Many have lauded the sermon of Cardinal Battista Re at the funeral of Pope Francis as being a faithful summary of the distinctive features of Francis’s pontificate.
“Pope Francis always placed the Gospel of mercy at the centre, repeatedly emphasising that God never tires of forgiving us. He always forgives, whatever the situation might be of the person who asks for forgiveness and returns to the right path. Mercy and the joy of the Gospel are two key words for Pope Francis” Cardinal Re said in his homily during the Pope’s funeral on 26 April 2025.
The homilist also noted that “with his 2024 Apostolic Journey to four countries in Asia-Oceania, the Pope reached “the most peripheral periphery of the world.”’ This visit brought great joy to our neighbours in Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Indonesia and Singapore.
Let us pray:
O God of mercy and compassion, we entrust to You our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, whom You have called from this life to Yourself. Grateful for his tireless witness to the Gospel, his courage in proclaiming mercy, and his love for the poor and for the earth, we now commend his soul to Your eternal embrace. Grant him the reward of faithful service: the joy of seeing You face to face. May he rest in the peace of Christ, whom he served with humility and hope. Amen. +Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, Bishop of Kalookan President, Catholic Bishops Conference Philippines
Prayers of Pope Francis
(from 40 Powerful Prayers of Pope Francis – LoveFlocks.com)
Prayer for Mercy
Scripture: Luke 6:36 “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Prayer: Father of mercy, help me reflect Your compassion to others. Forgive me and teach me to forgive, so I may walk humbly with You.
Prayer for Humility
Scripture: Proverbs 22:4 “Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.”
Prayer: Lord, remove pride from my heart. Teach me to live humbly, always giving glory to You and serving others with a pure spirit.
Prayer for Christian Unity
Scripture: John 17:21 “That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.”
Prayer: Lord, heal divisions among believers. Unite us in love, truth, and humility so that the world may believe in Your Son through our witness.