Pope Francis is being remembered as a pope of many firsts. Photo: Facebook.
Canberrans can gather to pay their respects and pray for the late Pope Francis at a Memorial Mass to be celebrated at 6 pm this evening at St Christopher’s Cathedral, Manuka.
Pope Francis (1936-2025) died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
The faithful gathered today at noon at the Cathedral to pray the Angelus Prayer for him with the leader of the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, Archbishop Christopher Prowse.
Archbishop Prowse said this evening’s Mass would be a special Mass for the repose of Pope Francis’s soul.
“This will enable us to pray for him and reflect on the many gifts and charisms he has so selflessly offered the Church and all the world in his remarkable life,” he said.
Archbishop Prowse, who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2013, said the late Pontiff was a great gift and a Pope of many firsts.
He said he was the first Jesuit Pope, the first from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, the first born and raised outside Europe since the 8th Century, and the first to have chosen “Francis” as his Papal name.
“Since his election as Pope on the 13th March 2013, Pope Francis has given so much hope to the Catholic Church and the world in general,” Archbishop Prowse said.
“He has been a Pope who has encouraged us to open ourselves more fully to the merciful love of Jesus. This is even reflected in his Papal Motto: ‘Lowly but chosen’.
“We can certainly say that God has chosen, for our time and place, Pope Francis.”
For Archbishop Prowse personally, it was a Pontificate of beautiful, humble and merciful images.
These included the Pope returning to his hotel after his election to pay his bill and then choosing to live in a house for priests rather than the Apostolic Palace.
Archbishop Prowse described Pope Francis as a great traveller and people’s priest.
“The other image was him constantly passing people with his hand outside the window, blessing and waving to them,” he said.
“This image of his outstretched arm waving to people from his humble white car was a prophetic image of a Church living humbly and modestly.”
Archbishop Prowse said the Australian Bishops’ meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican in 2019 was an unforgettable and awe-inspiring experience.
Parish churches across the Archdiocese and the country will also hold special masses and set up areas where people can come and pray for Pope Francis.
Flags have been lowered to half-mast, and electioneering will pause for the day as a mark of respect.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said today was not the time for “big politicking,” and both he and the Prime Minister cancelled a number of scheduled campaign appearances. However, the third leaders’ debate, scheduled for tonight in Sydney and telecast on Nine, will proceed.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a Catholic, and Mr Dutton both issued statements.
Mr Albanese delivered an emotional address to the nation on Monday evening, following news of the Pope’s passing, and described the Pontiff as “very much a modernist”.
“Today, the prayers of more than a billion people – from all nations and every walk of life – go with Pope Francis to his rest,” he said.
Mr Albanese said Pope Francis’s compassion embraced all humanity, urging people to hear the ‘cry of the earth’, their common home.
“He invited world leaders to join him and ’emerge from the dark night of wars and environmental devastation in order to turn our common future into the dawn of a new radiant day‘.”
Mr Albanese said it was a message the Pope echoed in the region during his historic visit to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and Timor-Leste.
“The first pope from the Southern Hemisphere was ‘close to the people of Australia’. For Australian Catholics, he was a devoted champion and loving father,” he said.
Mr Dutton expressed his condolences to Australians of Catholic and Christian faith.
He said Pope Francis served God with the utmost devotion throughout his life and lived frugally and simply.
“Above all else, he was driven by Christ’s values of mercy and forgiveness,” Mr Dutton said.
The Governor-General, who is on her way to Türkiye to mark Anzac Day commemorations, will represent Australia at the Pope’s funeral.
Original Article published by Ian Bushnell on Region Canberra.
