One of the most frequent reflections on the life of Pope Francis, from both secular and sacred sources alike, has been that his defining characteristic was his humility. Pope Francis was the same kind of leader as he was disciple; ‘not thinking of himself more highly than he ought’ (Romans 12:3), eschewing many of the trappings which the status his high office afforded, and seeking to keep faith simple. It seems particularly fitting for a man who consistently championed the plight of refugees and those living in poverty, to use his last public address to call (as he had done throughout his papacy) for peace, reconciliation and an end to conflict. And his last public act on Easter Day was to bless those who had gathered to celebrate the new life Christ has brought to us all by his Resurrection.

Many across the world will continue to take inspiration from Francis’ words, works, and life of prayer, for generations to come. He will be deeply missed, but in the preface to an as yet unpublished work by Cardinal Angelo Scola, Francis leaves us all with fresh encouragement to contemplate in this season of Easter as he writes:

‘Death is not the end but the start of something. It’s a new beginning…because eternal life, which is something those who love life experience on Earth in their everyday occupations, is to start something that will never end. And it is precisely for this reason that it is a 'new' beginning, because we will experience something that we have never fully experienced: eternity.’ - Pope Francis

This week we pray for our Catholic siblings in Christ as they mourn Pope Francis; that he, and all who have died in the faith of Christ, may rest in peace and rise in glory.