The death of Pope Francis on Monday 21 April 2025, at the age of 88 has been met with profound grief and sorrow across the Diocese of Parramatta.
The Catholic church has lost a fearless and prophetic pastor who has unhesitatingly preached the Gospel and reminded the church that it must always reform itself and be close to ordinary people – especially the poor, the suffering and the marginalised.
Vatican News confirmed the Holy Father’s death on Easter Monday. The Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on Friday, February 14, 2025, after suffering from a bout of bronchitis for several days.
Pope Francis’ clinical situation gradually worsened, and his doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia on Tuesday, February 18.
After 38 days in hospital, the late Pope returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery. During the last week, he made several ‘surprise’ public appearances at Palm Sunday Mass and Easter Sunday Mass in St Peter’s Square.
Francis’s Petrine ministry (2013 to 2025) was entirely devoted to his implementing and living out the vision of the Second Vatican Council, applied to our troubled times.
And in our increasingly violent and ethically challenged world, Francis’s prophetic voice will be especially acutely missed. Very few leaders today possess his credibility, authenticity and willingness to oppose violence and war and to defend the environment so passionately.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, the Bishop of Parramatta, said that while this Jubilee year of Hope would eventually end, Pope Francis would always be remembered for keeping the flame of hope, and the message of God’s love, alive in a world that needs both more now than ever.
“He showed the rest of us how to find God’s love, and how to show God’s love,” Bishop Vincent said.
“While today is a day of profound grief and sadness for us here in Parramatta and indeed right around the world, it is also a day to give thanks for the life of a man who gave so much to so many.
“He was an example to the rest of us that the source of all wisdom and sustenance is to be found in the Holy Spirit. And by spreading that message to as many parts of the globe as possible, he is the true embodiment of hope.”
Bishop Vincent Long meeting Pope Francis in the Vatican in 2023
Bishop Vincent said the best example of Pope Francis’s dedication to spreading this message was that despite his illness he continued to make contact with those in the Holy Family Parish in Gaza to offer his blessings.
“He will forever be remembered as a champion of peace and humanity,” Bishop Vincent said.
“Here in Parramatta, let us all offer our prayers for the spirit of the Holy Father, and guidance for the Church at this time of grief.”
Globally there will be nine days of mourning for the Holy Father. In Parramatta, there will be a Mass for Pope Francis in St Patrick’s Cathedral, with details to be shared shortly.
As we pray for Pope Francis, let us reflect on his prophetic words from his renowned encyclical, Laudato Si:
‘At the end, we will find ourselves face to face with the infinite beauty of God (cf. 1 Cor 13:12), and be able to read with admiration and happiness the mystery of the universe, which with us will share in unending plenitude. Even now we are journeying towards the sabbath of eternity, the new Jerusalem, towards our common home in heaven. Jesus says: “I make all things new” (Rev 21:5). Eternal life will be a shared experience of awe, in which each creature, resplendently transfigured, will take its rightful place and have something to give those poor men and women who will have been liberated once and for all.’ Laudato Si, no. 243.
