Prayers for a Pope

AS THE WORLD MOURNS the passing of POPE FRANCIS, OUR OWN SISTER FRANCES
MARIE DUNCAN SHARES HER PRAYERS & OBSERVATIONS FROM ABROAD

Our own Sister Frances Marie Duncan, a New Jersey native, is currently serving in Rome as general minister of our international congregation. While recovering from foot surgery, Sister has found that a temporary disability has been a blessing in her ability to see Pope Francis, both before and since his passing. On April 24, she shared this dispatch:

Pope Francis was, for me, a model of what it is to be Christian. As a Jesuit priest, his ideals and actions were rooted in justice. As a Pope, who took the name of Francis, he embodied the best of Ignatian and Franciscan values, speaking and acting in favor of the poor, the neglected, immigrants and creation. He envisioned a Church with input from the people — as evidenced by the recent Synod — and did away with much of the pageantry of the office, choosing to live as simply as possible in what he wore, where he lived, and how he lived. 

Along with the other members of our General Administration, I was able to go to Santa Marta for the private viewing of Pope Francis on Tuesday (April 22). When they had the viewing for cardinals, bishops, Vatican staff and dignitaries, some religious sisters and priests with Vatican passes were also able to enter. The chapel was quiet and prayerful, and it was possible to stay to pray for a time. 

The lines now for the public viewing are very long, but one of our Sisters who came from Sicily for the funeral went very early this morning (April 24) — a little after 4 a.m. — and was able to get into St. Peter’s Basilica with just a short wait. Although the basilica was to close at midnight, it remained open until 5:30 a.m. before closing for just 90 minutes to rearrange some things.  

Since I had bunion surgery two weeks ago and still need to use ambulatory aids, I am not sure I will even attempt to go to the square for the funeral. However, I was graced on Holy Saturday when, because of my walker, I was able to enter the basilica early by the side door for services before Mass. It was just moments before Pope Francis was leaving, so I saw him quite close up. He did not look well. Due to my disability, another Sister and I were seated in the first row behind the deacons officiating at the Holy Saturday liturgy. A few other Sisters were seated in the main part of the basilica. It was the first time that I was really able to see the service at the Vatican. It was, indeed, a beautiful liturgy.  

Since this weekend is the Jubilee for Teenagers in Rome — Carlos Acutis was to be canonized but it is now postponed — there are thousands of youth groups here, in addition to other jubilee tourists and, now, mourners for the Pope. The line to see him is very long, with waits reported of five to six hours. 

The funeral Mass will certainly extend well beyond the square and into the neighboring streets, as many busloads of people are coming from all over Italy, and people are arriving from all over the world. On Sunday, they will have the special youth Mass at St. Peter’s, even though it will not include the canonization of Carlos Acutis.

My prayer, now, is that Pope Francis’ spirit will continue to guide the Church into the future. I also pray that we can carry forth his values by advocating and working toward a more just world, seeing all people and all of creation as our brothers and sisters. Thank you, Pope Francis, for your witness and life. May you rest in the peace of Christ.