Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It is with great sadness that we have received the news that His Holiness, Pope Francis, died this morning in Rome after a long battle with respiratory illness and a recent 38-day hospitalization.
Throughout his entire life, but especially during his 12 years as Pope, Francis dedicated his ministry to serving our Lord Jesus with special attention to those people on the margins of our world who are often overlooked and neglected. Even during these past few days, Pope Francis visited prisoners on Holy Thursday to remind them of their innate dignity as sons of God. The Holy Father attempted to awaken a sense of mercy within us and encouraged all of to broaden our vision to see every person as our brother or sister, members of one family, deserving of our compassion and care.
It is with gratitude to Almighty God for this courageous and ardent servant of the Gospel that we now commend his soul to the Risen Lord and pray that God will reward him for his wonderful ministry of kindness and love. May Mary, Salus Populi Romani, to whom Pope Francis was especially devoted, bring him safely to her Divine Son so that Pope Francis may now experience the true peace and joy of that Eternal Life that Christ has won for us through the Resurrection.
May he Rest In Peace.
With my love and continued prayers for all of us during these days of sadness and with confidence in the promises of Christ to those who faithfully labor in His Vineyard, I remain,
Fraternally,
Very Rev. Brian Kiely, Rector