Pope Francis

A prayer upon the passing of Pope Francis: April 21, 2025

Eternal God of Hope, Life, and Love, 
Our Holy Father Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, 
whom you first knew as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, has returned the beat of his heart to its fullest union
with yours and has laid his body down for its rest in your eternal embrace.
We, your holy people, will grieve his loss, his vision for a listening, synodal church, his insistent attention to the voices of those at the margins, his courageous challenges where global leadership falters, his ceaseless urging for the care of your sacred creation, and his entirely selfless, lived example of Christ's mercy.
And so we grieve. 
We beseech you, O God: bear us up in our sorrow even as you bear him unto your heavenly kingdom. Hear our cries and tears as gratitude for the gift of these twelve years of his pontificate and over 55 years of servant leadership. Infuse us with the strength of your Holy Spirit, that we may honor this dear, gentle, passionate Vicar of Christ for generations ahead by heeding his counsel and "putting on Christ" exactly as he did.
With complete trust in you, God, and in the delighted welcome you will offer Pope Francis as he greets you and Our Holy Mother, Mary, we offer this prayer through Jesus Christ, your beloved son, our Lord. 
Amen.

-prayer written by Tricia Hoyt