*Bishop Fintan Monahan meeting Pope Francis.
POPE FRANCIS has left an “immense” spiritual and pastoral legacy, the Bishop of Killaloe has said.
At 7:35 on Monday, Pope Francis died at the age of 88. He was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
He made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday when he wished crowds gather in St Peter’s Square a Happy Easter.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope in March 2013 after his predecessor Benedict XVI resigned. The Argentine experienced a string of health worries in recent years and spent 38 days in hospital in February and March this year.
Bishop of Killaloe, Fintan Monahan said the Pope’s death brought “great sadness”. It was Pope Francis who appointed the Tullamore native Bishop of Killaloe in July 2016.
He met Pope Francis on three occasions, the first soon after his appointment at a course for new bishops in Rome, the second for the occasion of the Ad Limina visit of the Irish Bishops in January 2017 and the last was his visit to Ireland for World meeting of families in 2018.
Bishop Monahan recalled, “Even though he didn’t have much English he exuded warmth, friendliness and pastoral zeal. It was humbling to hear him on each occasion to ask for prayers for him personally as he exercised his mission.
“Since his appointment as Holy Father in 2013 he has had a profound impact on the whole world as a spiritual leader and humble pastor. From the simple greeting, moments after his appointment along with his warm smile and asking people to pray for him he won over the hearts of so many. This was matched with a quiet and steely determination to embark on a mission of gentle reform in the Church. One of the many traditional names for the Holy Father is Pontifex, Bridge Builder and Pope Francis certainly endeavoured to be that with all determination, personal charisma and pastoral skill. In choosing the name Francis, we got a strong indication that his papacy would be one of preferential option for the poor, the marginalised and those in trouble. His enthusiasm and missionary spirit was revealed in his first big communication, The Joy of the Gospel”.
He continued, “The fact that he chose to have an extraordinary jubilee year of Mercy soon after set the tone revealing his image of God. It was little wonder following on from that that he chose hope as the theme for the scheduled jubilee this year. I am honoured this year to be the Irish Bishops’ nominee to be delegate for encouraging the celebration of the Year of Hope. Since it began with the opening of the Holy Door by Pope Francis I have seen the positive way people have engaged with the great virtue of hope in the diocese and beyond and the great consolation it has given. The last major publication of the Pontif, his autobiography was entitled just that; Hope. The mark of the man”.
According to Bishop Fintan, the papacy of Pope Francis was “fruitful” with a focus on care for the environment, emigrants, refugees, safeguarding children, peace, ecumenism and interfaith dialogue. “His spiritual and pastoral legacy is immense, and he will be sadly missed”.
Tulla parish priest, Fr Brendan Quinlivan said he met Pope Francis on a number of occasions. “Each meeting was a profound experience. He had the incredible gift of making those who encountered him feel that they were the centre of his focus. He listened carefully to what you had to say and responded in a meaningful way”.
In 2018 during a visit to the Pope’s residence in the Casa Santa Marta, Fr Quinlivan along with Fr Tom Ryan and Archbishop Seamus Horgan presented him with a copy of the story of vocations from Ennis Parish edited by John Bradley. “He expressed gratitude and commended the good work. He concluded all our meetings with a request for prayer for him and his mission. This was a sign of the great humility and connection with all the faithful.
Staying in the Casa Santa Marta it was incredible to watch his ease with the other residents and guests staying there. There certainly was no sign of ego as he queued for the coffee machine along with everyone else at breakfast. His advocacy for the poor, marginalised, displaced and forgotten of the world is a true reflection of gospel values and the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi from whom he took his name,” Fr Quinlivan added.
