The passing of Pope Francis to the house of the Heavenly Father on the morning of Easter Monday is no mere coincidence; it is a significant moment. His departure mirrors the very heart of the Christian message of hope, a hope anchored in the Resurrection of Christ, whom he served with faithfulness and humility.
In both life and death, Pope Francis proclaimed the victory of Christ over sin and evil. Now, he returns to the One to whom he dedicated his life, bearing witness to the eternal promise of salvation.
Throughout his 12-year papacy as successor to St Peter, Pope Francis lived out his Petrine ministry with humility, faith and pastoral responsibility, drawing inspiration from his divine Teacher, Jesus Christ. His enduring love for the church and her people was clearly evident in both word and deed, shaping a pontificate marked by compassion, courage, mercy and conviction. Among the many hallmarks of his papacy, the following five key themes stand out:
A church for the poor and marginalised
Pope Francis demonstrated a commitment to social justice, consistently showing love and concern for the poor, the marginalised, migrants and refugees. He called the church to be a field hospital, reaching out to those on the peripheries of society. This theme was central to his first apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel, 2013), where he urged the faithful to embrace a church that is poor and for the poor, reflecting the heart of Christ’s own ministry.
The family as a cornerstone
Pope Francis placed strong emphasis on the family as the cornerstone of both the church and society, following the legacy of his predecessors, especially Pope St John Paul II. He convened a Special Synod on the Family, held in two phases in Rome (2014 and 2015), to reflect on the joys and challenges facing families today. In his post-synodal apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love, 2016), he affirmed the family’s divine vocation, highlighting its mission of love, unity, and faith formation within a rapidly changing cultural landscape.
Care for our common home
Inspired by his patron St Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis became a prominent voice for the care of creation. In 2015, he issued the landmark encyclical Laudato Si’ (Praise Be to You), calling on the global community to embrace an integral ecology that recognises the connection between human life, social justice and the environment. He urged all people of goodwill to respond to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, emphasising that care for our common home is a moral and spiritual imperative.
Promoting interfaith dialogue
Pope Francis prioritised interfaith dialogue as a vital path to peace, mutual understanding and global solidarity. Recognising the role of religion in shaping a more just and compassionate world, he actively engaged with leaders of other faiths. A historic moment in this effort was his 2019 meeting with Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb in Abu-Dhabi, which led to the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity. This landmark declaration affirmed shared values between Christianity and Islam and called for a new era of respect, coexistence and cooperation among the world’s religions.
A synodal church
Pope Francis envisioned a renewed model of governance founded in Synodality which he saw as a call for the whole People of God to walk together in faith. In 2022, he formally launched the Synod on Synodality, culminating in a global assembly in October 2024. This process invited both clergy and laity to engage in listening, discernment and dialogue, seeking a Church that is more spiritually alive, relationally connected, administratively accountable and missionary in purpose. At its heart the journey reflects Pope Francis’ desire for a church that is humble, participatory and always attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Pope Francis’ ministry also reached the corners of the earth. In September 2024, he undertook a pastoral visit to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore, bringing hope to communities facing hardship and poverty. Like his historic journey to Iraq in 2021, this visit was a testament to his desire to stand with the suffering and the forgotten.
Our Maronite Eparchy of Australia offered a Mass for his memory at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Harris Park on the evening of Sunday, 27 April, joined by hundreds of youth, community leaders, and faithful. It was a reflection of the love and respect for Pope Francis within our Maronite community.
As the church now mourns his passing and gives thanks for his faithful witness, we entrust Pope Francis to the mercy of the Risen Christ, confident in the hope he proclaimed throughout his life.
May the Lord continue to grant the church holy popes, true shepherds who lead his people in righteousness and holiness.
Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay is the Maronite Bishop of Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania.