“He taught us to be merciful to all”

While the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, it is also a moment to share memories and continue the legacy he leaves behind. Bishop Mulvey, who met Pope Francis several times, shared, “Pope Francis introduced this Year of Hope with great enthusiasm and lived it very well himself. We always find in him a model.” The Pope did not hide his own suffering: “He welcomed people to his hospital side, and just in the last few weeks, he has shown extreme courage in being present to people. He always spoke of accompaniment, being beside people.” Even on his last day, he appeared in St. Peter’s Square for the Easter Sunday Mass, giving the blessing “Urbi et Orbi” for the city of Rome and the world. “His example helps us to go beyond ourselves.”
 
Bishop Mulvey highlighted Pope Francis' commitment to ecumenical and interreligious dialogue. He recalled a meeting with just six bishops in 2015 in the Pope’s office: “On his desk was only one picture – and it was Patriarch Bartholomew, and he looked at it once, and said, ‘This is a great man.’ He had a great hope that the Church would one day be united, and it seemed like he waited until this Easter, where the East and the West celebrated together after many years.”
 Observing the Pope’s visit to Mongolia, home to a small Catholic community, or to Ur, where he met representatives from the three Abrahamic religions, illustrated how Francis “wanted to reach out to everyone and visit the least and farthest away.” The Bishop continued, “We are grateful to him for his ability to dialogue with so many people and to teach us how to be merciful to all.”
 
Bishop Mulvey will lead the Novena Prayer and celebrate a Memorial Mass for Pope Francis at Corpus Christi Cathedral on Wednesday, April 23, at 6:30 pm. Everyone is invited to join this special Mass.