From the Pastor
Fr. Mike Comer shares his thoughts on Scripture, spirituality and the challenges of living the Gospel.
rest in peace
April 27, 2025
As I write this, it is Monday morning, and I learned just a few hours ago about the death of Pope Francis. This is a moment of great mourning for the people of the Catholic Church, as well as so many others throughout the world who loved and looked up to him.
I remember the day when he was elected, and it was announced that he had chosen the name Francis. What a shock. First of all, the first pope from the Americas (Argentina), the first Jesuit pope, and the first pope to take the name of Francis. No one else had ever dared to take that name, because it carries so much weight and responsibility. But he faithfully lived out that name.
Francis spoke often of “the Church of the peripheries.” He was deeply concerned about those on the outside, the marginalized, the poor, the rejected, the unwanted. He also spoke of the Church as a field hospital that exists to care for the broken and wounded children of God.
The Holy Father defended the lives of the unborn, the rights and dignity of migrants and refugees and called the nations of the world to work for peace. Perhaps surprisingly, he was concerned about climate change and the disastrous consequences it will have on our world, especially on the poor.
I remember the day when he was elected, and it was announced that he had chosen the name Francis. What a shock. First of all, the first pope from the Americas (Argentina), the first Jesuit pope, and the first pope to take the name of Francis. No one else had ever dared to take that name, because it carries so much weight and responsibility. But he faithfully lived out that name.
Francis spoke often of “the Church of the peripheries.” He was deeply concerned about those on the outside, the marginalized, the poor, the rejected, the unwanted. He also spoke of the Church as a field hospital that exists to care for the broken and wounded children of God.
The Holy Father defended the lives of the unborn, the rights and dignity of migrants and refugees and called the nations of the world to work for peace. Perhaps surprisingly, he was concerned about climate change and the disastrous consequences it will have on our world, especially on the poor.
Pope Francis was just in the hospital a few weeks ago, and it appeared that he might pass away at that time, but he strengthened and came home. The doctors told him to take three months off to recover, but he did not. He was showing up in St. Peter’s almost every day, meeting with pilgrims, and giving his blessing. On Holy Thursday night, he went to the local jail, which has been his custom. He told them that he could not wash their feet this year, but he wanted to be with them. Yesterday he gave his annual Easter address and blessing and then rode the Popemobile through the crowd. In just a few hours, he would be dead.
Francis once famously spoke of priests and said that they should be shepherds who smell of sheep. He certainly was such a shepherd.
At this point, I do not know what plans are being made for the funeral and then the conclave to choose a new pope. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis, for the Church throughout the world, for the gathering of cardinals who will elect the next pope, and in a very special way, pray for the man who will inherit that enormous responsibility.
—Fr. Mike Comer
Francis once famously spoke of priests and said that they should be shepherds who smell of sheep. He certainly was such a shepherd.
At this point, I do not know what plans are being made for the funeral and then the conclave to choose a new pope. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis, for the Church throughout the world, for the gathering of cardinals who will elect the next pope, and in a very special way, pray for the man who will inherit that enormous responsibility.
—Fr. Mike Comer
Parishioner Barb Connor and her daughter Missy Echegaray meet Pope Francis on a pilgrimage to Italy last November.