We, in the diocese of Bunbury, unite with the people of God across Australia, and around the world, in both sadness and grief at the news of Pope Francis’ death at 7.35am (Rome time) on Monday, 21 April 2024 at the Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City. Pope Franics has now returned to our Father’s loving and eternal embrace.

This is difficult news, particularly in the season of Easter, and hope it promises. Even so, Pope Francis’ last words to our Church provide consolation:

The resurrection of Jesus is indeed the basis of our hope. For in the light of this event, hope is no longer an illusion. Thanks to Christ — crucified and risen from the dead — hope does not disappoint! Spes non confundit! (cf. Rom 5:5). That hope is not an evasion, but a challenge; it does not delude, but empowers us (Francis, Urbi et orbi, 20th April 2025).

Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis lived from this hope. From it, he challenged all of us to remember God’s proximity to us, calling each of us to live the joy of the Gospel – especially among those in need and those on the peripheries.

In one of his first interviews, Pope Francis referred to the Church as a field hospital after battle: close to those who are wounded and ready to respond. This is a Church that goes out, a missionary Church! He invited us to build bridges, not walls. He asked us to think of God’s creation as our common home, reminding us that care for each other also requires care for our natural world.

Pope Francis opened the doors and windows of the Church, famously proclaiming at World Youth Day in Lisbon 2023: “todos, todos, todos” – in the Church is a place for “everyone, everyone, everyone”. As we grieve Pope Francis’ death, let us also commit to continuing his legacy, and pray that the Spirit will continue to blow through the doors and windows that he opened for the Church.

On a deeply personal note, I wish to express my own heartfelt gratitude to Pope Francis.

It was under his pontificate that I was called and entrusted with the mission to serve the Church as a bishop. I remain forever grateful for the confidence he placed in me and for his example of pastoral leadership. This example continues to shape the way I seek to serve each of you across our diocese of Bunbury.

Yours in Christ,

 


Most Rev. George Kolodziej SDS DD
Bishop of Bunbury

 

Vatican News release:
Pope Francis has died on Easter Monday at age of 88 – Vatican News