To the voices lamenting the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis and praising his work shepherding us along the path of life, A Faith That Does Justice adds its own.

Very simply, Pope Francis will be sorely missed by the poor, the outcast, the strangers, and the marginalized.  He will be missed by those who hurt and seek mercy and forgiveness.  He will be missed by those who may feel small and unimportant from time to time, for he elevated us all by insisting on dignity and respect for each individual.  He will be missed by those who yearn for gentleness, understanding, and an open, carefully listening ear.  He will be missed by us sinners and strugglers in the journey of life, for he was full of compassion, hope and joy even as he helped us make sense of it all and carry the load.  Indeed, he oftentimes carried it almost alone when we faltered and failed to act or raise our voices.

He will not be missed by the arrogant, the inward-looking, the harshly judgmental, the self-referential and the self-righteous.  To them, he was the conscience they tried to bury.

As you reflect on the meaning of Pope Francis in your life, take an extra moment to watch this short CNN news interview with our own AFTDJ Vice-President and Board Member, Father Tom Massaro of Fordham University, author of a 2023 book “Pope Francis as Moral Leader: Ethicist, Discerner, Communicator, and Advocate for Social Justice.”

On this very sad occasion of Pope Francis’ death, so beautifully happening on the anniversary of the first full day the world experienced the risen Lord, we at A Faith That Does Justice can think of no better way to honor Pope Francis than to re-commit ourselves to living a “faith in action” that involves itself directly in the world seeking justice for all, especially the least among us.

We do so knowing that the spirit of Pope Francis is with us and will never be stilled.  May he now rest in the same blessed peace he long sought for the world and for each of us.