We join with the church in reflecting on the legacy of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. Below you will find a Prayer of Thanksgiving for the pope as well as a reflection from Give Us This Day contributor Micah Kiel. We also welcome you to explore Liturgical Press's collection of books on Pope Francis and some of his pastoral focuses. Rest in peace, dear Francis.
A Prayer of Thanksgiving
Loving God,
we give you thanks for the life and ministry of Pope Francis.
In him you gave us a man of humility,
one who valued listening to the voices of the voiceless,
compassion for the undervalued,
mercy for sinners and justice for the oppressed.
You gave us a pastor
who led through the example of his love
for your people and your creation,
who was not ashamed to smell like his sheep.
Comfort all who mourn his passing,
and may the angels now lead him to paradise with you
to rest in your peace for eternity.
May your Spirit guide the future successor to your servant Francis
to continue the work you have begun through him,
for the good of the Church and the world.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Call to Encounter
By Micah Kiel
From his very first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, to his last years confined mostly to a wheelchair, Pope Francis always seemed one step ahead of the rest of us. Indeed, his whole life embodied the surprise of the Gospel....
continue in the footsteps of francis
Explore our vast collection of resources on Pope Francis and about some of his pastoral concerns, like synodality, migration, and the environment.