News
Pope Francis returns to the Father's House
The Holy See Press Centre issued a press release in Italian at 09:56 on Easter Monday.
His Eminence Cardinal Farrell has just announced with sorrow the death of Pope Francis: 'Dear brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I have to announce the death of Pope Francis.
At 7:35 this morning, Francis, Bishop of Rome, returned to the Father's house. His whole life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and his Church.
He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially for the benefit of the poorest and most needy.
With immeasurable gratitude for the example of the true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the Triune God."
We, Hungarian Knights of Malta, have fresh memories of the Holy Father. He visited Hungary twice during his pontificate. On both occasions, we participated together in the highlights of his visit, in September 2021 in Heroes' Square, Budapest, at the closing Eucharistic Mass, and in April 2023, in several events of his three-day apostolic visit, of which the solemn Mass in Kossuth Square was a highlight. He spoke to us a number of times on these occasions, and the freshness of his thoughts, the relevance of the topics chosen for the occasion, made his teaching come alive for us. He stressed the importance of love in a world of conflict and alienation. When we think of Pope Francis' action-filled pontificate, perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is the need for change. He wanted to renew the Church, to renew our faith - responding both to the changing realities of today's world and to the unchanging message of the Gospel. He would have had much more work to do here on earth.
Photo: courtesy of Magyar Kurír
