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pope francis

Pope Francis dies after Easter Blessing: A Pontificate Rooted in Mercy

by admin April 21, 2025

written by admin 3 minutes read

From Joana Kumi, Cape Coast

The Catholic Church and millions around the world are mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away peacefully on Easter Monday morning, a day after delivering his final Urbi et Orbi blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

The 88-year-old Pontiff had just completed a final round through the crowd in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, offering smiles, blessings, and prayers.

His sudden death has left many in shock, but his last public appearance, marked by warmth and peace, is now seen as a fitting farewell to a life that touched many.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, became the first Latin American and Jesuit Pope in 2013.

From the very beginning of his papacy, he placed a strong emphasis on mercy, calling it “the air we breathe” and “our liberation and our happiness.”

He once said, “We need to forgive, because we need to be forgiven.” That message, simple yet powerful, defined his pontificate. Whether speaking from the Vatican, visiting prisons, or embracing migrants and the poor, Francis consistently pointed to mercy as the heart of the Gospel.

In his first Angelus as Pope, he shared the story of an elderly woman who once told him: “The Lord forgives all things… If the Lord did not forgive everything, the world would not exist.” It was a belief he carried throughout his life and ministry.

His gestures often drew global attention—sometimes praise, other times criticism—as he reached out to those considered outcasts or sinners. Like Jesus with Zacchaeus, Francis believed in meeting people where they were, without preconditions.

He showed the world a Church that leads not with judgment, but with tenderness.

In a homily delivered in 2014, he reflected on the beauty of God’s mercy: “It is like the sky… when the sun comes in the morning with so much light, the stars are no longer seen.

So it is with God’s mercy: a great light of love, of tenderness.”

While mercy was the soul of his pontificate, Pope Francis also stood firm on other global issues—speaking out against war, championing the care of creation, and urging compassion for the poor. Yet, even within these themes, the call to mercy echoed.

The Vatican is expected to announce funeral arrangements in the coming days.

As the world reflects on his life, Pope Francis will be remembered not only as a reformer or world leader, but as a spiritual father who reminded humanity of the healing power of mercy.

April 21, 2025 0 comment

The Synodal Comedy: Act II

by admin October 9, 2024

written by admin 4 minutes read

Throughout history, the city of Rome, the See of Peter, has faced numerous assaults.

Attila the Hun attempted to take the city but retreated when confronted by Pope Leo the Great. Napoleon successfully conquered Rome in 1809, while Italian nationalists in 1848 forced Blessed Pius IX to flee to Gaeta. Hitler subdued Rome on June 4, 1944.

Yet none of these compare to the current assault. Today, Rome faces Synodal Listening—II, a process many see as a squandering of Christ’s salvific inheritance. The sight of Church leaders engaging in what seems like a spiritual self-actualization exercise alarms many Catholics. Were it not for Christ’s promise—“the gates of Hell shall not prevail”—one might fear the end of Catholicism, as these prelates, behaving like participants in a Maoist Struggle Session, dismantle the Faith they swore to protect.

At these Synodal Sessions, the Faith itself is trampled, traded for the hollow reassurances of modern psychology. That this desecration takes place on ground consecrated by the blood of Peter and Paul makes it even more chilling. The Church’s once-stalwart defenders now resemble performers in a cheap vaudeville act, devoid of dignity or conviction.

It’s difficult to accuse these synodalists of heresy, as their lack of substance fails to meet even that charge. Heresy requires purpose and conviction—qualities absent here. Instead, they act as pallbearers for a dying Catholic Left, participants in an exercise as empty as it is misguided.

The Synod began with a retreat, a hollow shell of true Catholicism. Take, for example, the penitential liturgy aimed at ushering in a “new way of being Church.” It included confessions for a new set of sins: sins against peace, creation, migrants, women, and the misuse of doctrine as a weapon. The confusion is palpable. If defending the Revelation of Christ is now a sin, what is left to believe? If doctrine is harmful, what purpose does the Church serve?

This line of thinking leaves one questioning the very purpose of martyrdom. Did St. John Fisher die because he “hurled doctrine” at his enemies? Was the Council of Trent wrong to define doctrines against Protestant heresies?

Theological reasoning breaks down in the face of these platitudes. As Aristotle noted, reasoning with a man who has abandoned logic is futile. Is this the predicament facing the Church today?

Any Catholic not troubled by this fog of confusion must check if their baptismal character has faded. Pachamama ceremonies and the introduction of Mayan and Amazonian rites were mere preludes to the nonsense of the Synod Retreat, where modern-day synodalists present their own list of trendy sins, unrelated to true Christianity.

While some may find amusement in these absurdities, the tragedy lies in the fact that many Catholics will take this Synod seriously, treating its pronouncements with the reverence reserved for the Gospel itself.

Perhaps these synodalists should revisit St. Gregory the Great’s Pastoral Rule from 599. Gregory warned that a pastor who fails to assert the truth, out of fear or weakness, abandons his flock to the enemy. His words remind us that defending doctrine is not just a duty, but a shield against error.

Despite the troubling actions of the Synod, Catholics must not respond with bitterness or despair. Instead, they should take inspiration from St. Ignatius of Loyola, who, when faced with rejection, encouraged his followers by saying, “Our Lord expects great things of us.”

In the face of this crisis, the Church will rise again, as it has through greater trials. But this revival will require the courage and prayers of informed laypeople, those who understand that these are times for Catholics to act with conviction. The crisis may deepen, but now is the time to stand firm, praying and acting in the spirit of Christ’s warning: “Because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:16).

Now is the time for Catholics to rise to greatness. The call to action is clear. Get started.

October 9, 2024 0 comment

Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals, including archbishops of Abidjian and Algiers

by admin October 6, 2024

written by admin 5minutes read

Vatican City, Oct 6, 2024 / 07:41 am (CNA) – In a significant announcement following the Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Francis revealed that he will create 21 new cardinals at an upcoming consistory on December 8, 2024. The new cardinals represent a wide array of countries, showcasing the Catholic Church’s diversity, with key appointments in regions such as Tehran, Tokyo, and Toronto. Among the appointees are archbishops, bishops, and distinguished clergy members who have served in various pastoral, missionary, and theological capacities.

This consistory will be the tenth held by Pope Francis during his papacy, further shaping the future of the Catholic Church’s leadership. The 87-year-old pontiff, who has made it a priority to appoint cardinals from geographically and culturally diverse backgrounds, announced the upcoming consistory from his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, addressing thousands of pilgrims gathered for the Angelus prayer.

New Cardinals from Around the Globe

The full list of cardinals-elect includes representatives from across continents, underscoring Pope Francis’ focus on making the College of Cardinals more inclusive and reflective of the global Church. Among the notable appointments are:

Archbishop Frank Leo, the metropolitan archbishop of Toronto (Canada), who has played a crucial role in the Canadian Catholic Church’s engagement with multicultural communities.
Archbishop Tarcisius Isao Kikuchi, S.V.D., the metropolitan archbishop of Tokyo (Japan), whose leadership in Japan’s small but steadfast Catholic community has been instrumental in promoting social justice and interfaith dialogue.
Archbishop Dominique Joseph Mathieu, O.F.M. Conv., the archbishop of Tehran-Ispahan, a Belgian missionary serving in Iran, who has been a significant figure in strengthening Christian-Muslim relations in the region.

Other appointments include Father Timothy Radcliffe, O.P. (United Kingdom), a theologian well-known for his reflections on faith and society, and Father Fabio Baggio, C.S. (Italy), the undersecretary for the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development, whose work has focused on assisting refugees and displaced persons around the world.

A Diverse Group of Leaders

The appointees reflect Pope Francis’ ongoing commitment to creating a College of Cardinals that mirrors the universality of the Church. His choices extend to regions with growing Catholic populations, as well as areas where Catholics are a minority, emphasizing the Church’s role in all parts of the world. This includes:

Bishop Mykola Bycok, C.Ss.R., Eparch of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne of the Ukrainians, an important figure for the Ukrainian Catholic diaspora in Australia.
Bishop Paskalis Bruno Syukur, O.F.M., bishop of Bogor (Indonesia), who has been a central figure in Indonesia’s Catholic Church, promoting interfaith dialogue in the predominantly Muslim nation.
Archbishop Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera, O.F.M., metropolitan archbishop of Guayaquil (Ecuador), a Franciscan known for his work with the poor and marginalized communities in Ecuador.

Additionally, Archbishop Vicente Bokalic Iglic of Santiago del Estero (Argentina), Archbishop Jean-Paul Vesco, O.P. of Algiers (Algeria), and Archbishop Ignace Bessi Dogbo of Abidjan (Ivory Coast) bring a wealth of experience from regions across Latin America and Africa, where the Catholic Church continues to grow.

One Cardinal Over 80: Angelo Acerbi

One of the cardinals-elect, Archbishop Angelo Acerbi, the apostolic nuncio emeritus from Italy, is over the age of 80. Although he will not be eligible to vote in a future papal conclave, his appointment highlights his long service to the Church, particularly in diplomacy, where he represented the Holy See in various countries over the years.

Shaping the Future of the Papacy

Since becoming pope in 2013, Pope Francis has created 142 cardinals from 70 countries at nine consistories, shaping the College of Cardinals with his vision of a Church that is both global and pastoral. His selections emphasize the Church’s mission to serve the poor, promote social justice, and engage with people of all faiths and backgrounds. The last consistory, held in September 2023, saw the creation of new cardinals such as Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Stephen Chow of Hong Kong, and Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, the prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

As of now, 15 members of the College of Cardinals have turned 80 since the last consistory, meaning they have lost the right to participate in a papal election. After the December 2024 consistory, barring any unexpected deaths, there will be 141 cardinal electors, with 111 of them—79%—having been appointed by Pope Francis.

This significant number of Francis-appointed cardinals ensures that his vision of the Church will likely continue to shape the papacy for years to come. By choosing cardinals from diverse backgrounds, many of whom have experience in missionary work and social justice, Pope Francis is embedding his emphasis on a “poor Church for the poor” into the very heart of Catholic leadership.

Looking Forward

As the Catholic Church prepares for the consistory on December 8, the appointments serve as a reminder of Pope Francis’ commitment to ensuring that the leadership of the Church is as global and inclusive as its followers. By selecting cardinals from regions often underrepresented in the upper echelons of the Vatican, the pope is signaling a future where the Church continues to expand its reach, addressing the spiritual and social needs of Catholics across the world.

This new group of cardinals will not only bring fresh perspectives to the College but will also ensure that the Church’s mission of mercy, justice, and evangelization remains at the forefront. With 79% of the cardinal electors appointed by Pope Francis, the future papacy is likely to reflect the values and priorities that have characterized his tenure: humility, compassion, and a global focus on the peripheries.

October 6, 2024 0 comment