Pope Francis’ passing has triggered a wave of tributes and reflections on his remarkable legacy, marked by an unwavering commitment to mercy and compassion. Two notable homilies, delivered by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals at Pope Francis’ Funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Rome and Rev. Fr. Sam Okwuidegbe, S.J., Director of Loyola Centre for Hope and Healing at the Lagos Archdiocese Requiem Mass in Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos, Nigeria, highlighted his profound impact on the world. Cardinal Re highlighted Pope Francis’ emphasis on mercy, citing his establishment of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy and his repeated emphasis on God’s forgiveness.
The Cardinal noted Pope Francis’s dedication to serving the poor, refugees, and displaced persons, citing his visits to Lampedusa and Lesbos. Cardinal Re emphasised Pope Francis’ missionary vision, spreading the joy of the Gospel, and his conviction that the Church is a home for all. The Cardinal highlighted Pope Francis’ 47 apostolic journeys, including his visit to Iraq in 2021, which demonstrated his commitment to interreligious dialogue and serving those in need as he noted Pope Francis’ repeated calls for peace, citing his exhortation to “build bridges, not walls.” Looking back on Pope Francis’ Spiritual Journey, Fr. Okwuidegbe drew parallels between Pope Francis’ life and the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius, emphasising the importance of recognising God’s love and mercy.
The priest highlighted Pope Francis’s coat of arms, “Miserando atque Eligando” (Having Mercy, He called him), which reflects God’s compassionate gaze. Fr. Okwuidegbe spotlighted Pope Francis’ genuine love for the poor, reflected in his chosen name and his advocacy for social justice. The priest noted Pope Francis’ emphasis on mercy and compassion, citing his encyclical ‘Evangelii Gaudium’ and his calls for global solidarity. Fr. Okwuidegbe also noted the similarities Pope Francis’ life and St. Ignatius’s La Storta experience, highlighting the importance of freedom, service, and humility. Cardinal Re and Fr. Okwuidegbe skillfully outlined the enduring legacies of Pope Francis in their thoughtful homilies.
