THE GOAN tribute to Pope Francis
With the passing of Pope Francis, the world bids farewell to a shepherd who led with mercy, humility, and a deep love for all humanity. Since his election in 2013, he brought a renewed spirit of compassion and inclusiveness to the Catholic Church.
His papacy was marked by powerful calls for justice, care for the poor and the planet, and a Church that embraces rather than excludes. Through his life and teachings, he reminded us that true faith is expressed in love, service, and hope.
Light in Darkness: Faith and Joy
Pope Francis began his papacy by completing ‘Lumen Fidei’ (The Light of Faith), a letter begun by his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. It taught that faith is like a guiding light, helping us find clarity in confusion. True faith grows in love and within community.
Soon after, he released ‘Evangelii Gaudium’ (The Joy of the Gospel), where he called the Church to go out and share God's love with urgency and joy. He painted the Church as a "field hospital"—focused more on healing than judging.
Centrality of Mercy
Mercy lies at the core of Francis’s message. In ‘Misericordiae Vultus’ (The Face of Mercy, 2015), he declared mercy as “the beating heart of the Gospel.” He initiated a Jubilee Year of Mercy, encouraging the Church to be a home where all feel loved, forgiven, and welcomed.
In ‘Misericordia et Misera’ (Mercy and Misery, 2016), he reflected on Jesus’s compassionate response to the woman caught in sin, urging the Church to imitate that tenderness. For him, the Church must extend arms, not point fingers—especially toward those who feel excluded.
Care for Creation and Poor
Environmental justice is another hallmark of his leadership. In ‘Laudato Si’ (Praise Be to You, 2015), he called on all people to care for “our common home,” linking the health of the planet with the suffering of the poor. Environmental degradation, he explained, is both a moral and spiritual crisis.
Eight years later, in ‘Laudate Deum’ (Praise God, 2023), he warned that global responses to climate change have been slow and insufficient. He appealed to both governments and individuals to act boldly and urgently—for the sake of the earth and future generations.
Fratelli Tutti: Call to Brotherhood
In ‘Fratelli Tutti’ (All Brothers and Sisters, 2020), Francis confronted a world divided by conflict, fear, and inequality. Inspired by St Francis of Assisi, he envisioned a culture of peace and solidarity where people reach across boundaries to care for one another.
Using the parable of the Good Samaritan, he reminded us that love of neighbour meant helping strangers in need, building bridges over walls, and choosing compassion over indifference.
Embracing Families, Youth, the Forgotten
Pope Francis had a special place in his heart for families, young people, and the marginalised. In ‘Amoris Laetitia’ (The Joy of Love, 2016), he discussed both the beauty and the challenges of family life, urging the Church to walk with families rather than judge them.
In ‘Gaudete et Exsultate’ (Rejoice and Be Glad, 2018), he emphasised that holiness was not reserved for a few, but is attainable by all, through love, humility, and the Beatitudes.
With ‘Christus Vivit’ (Christ is Alive, 2019), he spoke directly to young people, encouraging them to dream big, live fully, and embrace their role in the Church. And in ‘Querida Amazonia’ (Beloved Amazon, 2020), he amplified the voices of indigenous communities and defends their lands and dignity.
He also addressed painful truths, especially the sexual abuse crisis within the Church, calling for repentance, transparency, and justice.
Hope That Does Not Disappoint
As the Church looks to the Jubilee Year 2025, Pope Francis released ‘Spes non Confundit’ (Hope Does Not Disappoint, 2024), reaffirming that Christian hope remains firm even in a world marked by war, suffering, and despair. He invited all to seek renewal and healing through faith and community.
Little Way of Love
In ‘La Ceste Confiance’ (This Confidence, 2023), Francis turned to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Carmelite saint known for her “little way”—doing small acts with great love. He praised her childlike trust in God and encouraged the faithful to follow her example of simplicity and love, especially in uncertain times.
Pope for Our Time
Pope Francis didn’t just preach love and mercy—he lived them with humility and courage. He became a voice for the voiceless and a shepherd who walked with his people.
As the world mourns his passing, the Church remembers not only a leader but a father, a friend, and a true witness to the Gospel. His voice may be silent, but his message endures in every act of compassion and every call for peace.
Pope Francis has returned to the Almighty Father he loved, but his legacy lives on, urging us to carry his light of mercy, hope, and justice forward.
The writer is a member of the Karnataka-Goa Province of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites based at Avila Jyothi, Peddem-Mapusa. He is the Regional Vocation Promoter of the Carmelites.
