In view of the departure of Pope Francis to the Father’s House on Easter Monday, April 21, at the age of 88, the Brothers of the Christian Schools, together with the Lasallian Family, express their condolences and communion with the universal Church, thanking the Lord for the fruitful pontificate of Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
“Love has triumphed over hatred, light over darkness, and truth over falsehood. This was the Easter message of Pope Francis to the Church and the whole world this Easter Sunday, a few hours before he was called to the Kingdom of God, of love, light and truth”; and they have been the first words of Brother Armin Luistro, Superior General, as he evokes the great legacy that Francis leaves to the Church and to society.
Words and actions
“This may be the one powerful lesson that the 266th Vicar of Christ preached during his pontificate, sometimes in words, but on many other occasions by his actions”, continues Br. Armin, noting that “amid increasing violence and war, misplaced protectionism and exclusion, proliferation of lies and polarisation, Pope Francis embraced the deep bonds of fraternity which binds all human beings and all Creation as one body in Christ”.
With feelings of gratitude, Brother Superior General underlines that Pope Francis “led the Church these past twelve years to undertake the synodal path towards that hope which does not disappoint by showing us examples of how to listen attentively without judgment, walk patiently as pilgrims without rushing, and love passionately without reserve”.
The new paths opened by the Argentine Pope have not been without difficulties. “He had many vocal and powerful critics within the Church and outside, but he kept on opening doors, building bridges and creating many safe spaces where love and light and truth may be planted and nurtured”, remarks Brother Armin.
However, Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s Easter is also a call to take up his great causes. “This vacuum of leadership left by Pope Francis needs to be filled by faithful Christians who will pursue his invitation to go to the peripheries, by committed Lasallians who will live the lessons of fraternity in our communities and schools, and by all women, men and children of good will who will be the change they want to see in our wounded world”, concludes the Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.