My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The news of our Holy Father Francis’ sudden death has saddened me. Following the reports of his recent hospitalization and slow recovery, I saw his resilience in making the great effort to be present to the Church both in Rome and the world during Holy Week. Just yesterday, Easter Sunday, he was riding in the popemobile and blessing the crowds outside of St. Peter’s Basilica. Therefore, the news of his death on Easter Monday, affectionately known in places as "Little Easter," is startling. However, how providential that our Holy Father would go to the Lord on this second day of the great Octave of Easter, a time when our Church is still joyfully celebrating Jesus’ triumphant Resurrection. 

We rightfully called him Holy Father because he was our spiritual father while he served the Universal Church as pope. We prayed for him by name at every Mass celebrated throughout the world. He reminded us of the importance of mercy and encouraged us to image God as a merciful father. He encouraged us to be mindful of the poor and marginalized. He called us to greater responsibility in our stewardship of our “common home,” the earth. He taught and modeled the importance of listening, dialogue, and fraternity. I’ll never forget watching the livestream of him alone in the drizzling rain outside of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome at the height of COVID praying before the crucifix and interceding for a world that was filled with fear and uncertainty. Our spiritual father has died. The Church mourns.

Please, one thing that we call all do collectively in the moment is to pray for the repose of his soul. I would recommend to all in our local Church to offer a spiritual bouquet for his soul by praying the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be whenever possible, today and in these coming days in preparation for his funeral. Also, it is very appropriate to offer the Rosary for the repose of his soul. As we celebrated yesterday, Jesus has triumphed over sin and death. This great hope, especially in this Jubilee Year of Hope, gives us consolation with the news of our Holy Father’s death. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.

-Bishop James T. Ruggieri