I woke up the day after Easter to a text from a member of my book club with the news that Pope Francis was dead. I was surprised—while it was clear that he was struggling with illness, hadn’t he just traveled through St. Peter’s Square and given the Easter Urbi et Orbi blessing the day before? The following days leading up to the funeral were a blessed time for my family, from praying for the repose of Pope Francis’s soul to discussing with my children about what happens when a pope dies to praying for the next Holy Father’s heart to be prepared for the monumental task of leading the Church. The day of the funeral my 13-year-old son joined me to watch the funeral procession on TV. As the pope’s casket wound its way through the streets of Rome, the EWTN commentator told personal stories from Francis’s life. At one point my son said, “He seems like a pretty cool guy. I didn’t know much about him, except that he was the pope.”
This issue of Catholic Rural Life takes a look at some of the “pretty cool” writings and actions of Pope Francis. From a reflection on Evangelii Gaudium to a meeting with farmers to a group of teen pilgrims who attended the papal funeral, the stories in this issue focus on the gift of the Francis pontificate. This issue also features a number of articles marking the 10th anniversary of his landmark encyclical, Laudato Si’. While the entire Church now rejoices with the election of Pope Leo XIV, may we not forget Pope Francis’s mark on the Church, especially in rural America.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. May he rest in peace.
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