Together with Bishop Emeritus Dennis Sullivan, the priests, deacons, religious, and faithful of the Diocese of Camden, I join in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. We pray that after completing his 88-year pilgrimage of faith on this earth, he may return to the house of the Father.
Throughout his ministry as universal pastor, Pope Francis – born Jorge Mario Bergoglio – selflessly and untiringly served the Church with the tenderness of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
I will never forget the joy his election as the first Latin American Pope brought to the Latino people I was serving in south Minneapolis, at the time. They were deeply touched by his simplicity and humility and saw their culture lifted up in his ascension to the See of Peter.
His writings on the joy of evangelization made my heart sing and helped to transform the parishes I served. He wanted pastors to have “the smell of the sheep” and encouraged all the faithful, by word and example, to “go out” to the peripheries of society and the Church with mercy for the troubled and abandoned. He dreamed of a Church that was poor, transparent, listening and that “walked together.” I believe he died having brought us closer to that dream.
In every phase of his long life, Pope Francis remained a steadfast follower of Jesus Christ. May he now enjoy the fullness of the eternal life he so fervently hoped for. Requiescat in pace.
Amen.
Most Reverend Joseph A. Williams, D.D.
Bishop of Camden
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