April 21, 2025

Today, I ask all of the faithful of the Diocese of Fall River to join me in praying for the repose of Pope Francis, whom God has called home to his eternal reward. We remember with gratitude the extraordinary life and ministry of this faithful servant, the first Pope from the Americas, who was the 265th successor of St. Peter.

When Pope Francis was elected, the first impression he gave to the world was of a humble servant of God and the Church. At his first appearance on the balcony of the Apostolic Palace in Rome to greet the people gathered in St. Peter’s Square, and those watching all over the world, his actions already signaled that he was a profoundly spiritual and humble man. In a gesture that remains indelibly marked in people’s mind, he bowed down and asked them to pray for him. The next day, headlines around the world captured that gesture and focused on the virtue of humility.

I had the honor of meeting Pope Francis just a few months later when he presided at World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in July 2013. One of the events included his meeting and lunch with all Brazilian Bishops. Since I am a Brazilian myself, I was able to get a ticket to take part in that meeting and luncheon. I was able to greet him personally and have a picture taken with him on that memorable occasion.

Bishop da Cunha greets Pope Francis during the Ad Limina visit in Rome in 2019

Another unforgettable experience I had was when the bishops of New England gathered with him at the Vatican during our Ad Limina visit in 2019. Seated in a circle with him, each of us addressed a question to him and he patiently answered each one, giving an in-depth answer no matter what the subject was. We spent well over an hour with him, and he was a real brother to all of us. Then, as we concluded, each of us had the opportunity to offer a personal greeting.

Pope Francis leaves a legacy that will remain with the Church and the world for generations to come. His emphasis on the mercy of God and the spirit of Synodality in the Church are trademarks of his papacy and his humble personality. He touched the hearts of countless people with his love, his faith, his humanity and his humility. 

In thanksgiving, let us pray for Pope Francis and commend him to the Lord who chose him to serve as his Vicar on earth. May God grant him peace.

During this time of transition, let us also pray for the Church and for the next successor of St. Peter.

Bishop da Cunha will celebrate a Memorial Mass for Pope Francis at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 28, in St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River.

• Visit the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ In Memorium webpages for Pope Francis
• Read Catholic News Service coverage of Pope Francis’ legacy
• Pray the Novena in Memory of Pope Francis
• Pope Francis: Encyclicals, homilies, other writings (Vatican website)

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