PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Bishop Robert Brennan still remembers the words of accompaniment that Pope Francis spoke to the U.S. bishops during his visit to the United States in 2015.
“I’ll never forget, basically he said ‘when you’re reaching out pastorally, whenever you’re speaking words of hope to somebody or consoling somebody or helping along the way, know that these poor old hands are inside of you so that I’m with you in those moments,” Bishop Brennan recalled Pope Francis telling The Tablet. “I thought it was very thoughtful.”
Bishop Brennan met Pope Francis a handful of times, both face-to-face and one-on-one. The consistent theme that weaves through them all, he said, is “about walking together with one another, paying attention to one another, keeping your eyes fixed on the Lord.”
“He’ll make statements, take social stands, but he also has a very traditional kind of piety, and a real personal humility rooted in a sense of prayer, a love for the Blessed Mother, the way he finishes every presence saying ‘pray for me,’ ” Bishop Brennan said. “I think those are the hallmarks that continue.”
In an official statement following Pope Francis’ death on April 21, Bishop Brennan noted the Holy Father’s commitment to the environment, promotion of unity among people of faith, and efforts to improve the lives of the oppressed.
“As Pope Francis announced this Jubilee Year of the Church, we are called to be ‘Pilgrims of Hope.’ Today, Pope Francis’ earthly pilgrimage has ended, but his heavenly journey has just begun,” he said. “May God be good to him and reward him for the compassion he exhibited to his people.”
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Other American faith leaders remembered Pope Francis in similar ways.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York said he was honored to participate in the conclave that elected Pope Francis in 2013 and to welcome him to New York in 2015.
“He touched us all with his simplicity, with his heart of a humble servant,” Cardinal Dolan said in a statement. “Trusting in the tender and infinite mercy of Jesus, we pray that he is, even now, enjoying his eternal reward in heaven.”
Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a statement that Pope Francis will “long be remembered for his outreach to those on the margins of the Church and of society.”
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“The passage from this life of the Bishop of Rome calls us to pray for his eternal rest and to continue on our path to a deeper union with the Lord Jesus,” said Archbishop Broglio, archbishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. “We remember his leadership in inspiring nations, organizations, and individuals to a renewed commitment to care for each other and for our common home.”
“The Bishops of the United States unite in prayer with Catholics here and around the world and all people of goodwill in gratitude for the life of our revered shepherd,” he added. “We mourn the passing of our Holy Father and beg Saint Joseph to accompany him. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.”
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Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, vice president of the USCCB, in a statement, highlighted the many ways Pope Francis reached out to the margins of the Church and of broader society throughout his pontificate.
“Throughout the years of his pontificate, Pope Francis manifested his love for the poor and marginalized. He lifted up the plight of migrants and refugees, victims of injustice, the sick and elderly, and global poverty,” he said. “He elevated the voice of the Church in places considered “remote” in major population centers. He called for the protection of the environment as God’s gift and as humanity’s common home.
“In an age of polarization, he called for a more fraternal society and ‘a new kind of politics.’ ”
Archbishop Richard Henning of Boston noted in a statement that Pope Francis “continuously called us to deeper faith,” and “challenged us to turn away from selfish impulses and towards communion with others and respect for God’s creation.”
This story will be updated.