A Diocese Remembers

People across our diocese have been paying tribute to Pope Francis by sharing their heart-warming thoughts and memories of our Holy Father.

As the world mourns the death of this much-loved pontiff, people have been reflecting on the remarkable pontificate of the late pope, remembering the themes and passions of his teachings that has inspired each and everyone of us to help build a better world.

A Message of Mercy

Going back to the very beginning of his pontificate, Fr Mark Harold – parish priest of St Mary’s in Bamber Bridge and Our Lady of Lourdes and St Gerard Majella’s in Lostock Hall – reflected on when he met Pope Francis in 2013.

He said: “Very blessed to have met Pope Francis on the feast of St Matthew in 2013 and concelebrated Mass in Casa Santa Marta, his home in the Vatican and the place where he died. He spoke very powerfully about the look of mercy and love in the eyes of Jesus when he called Matthew, despite his sinfulness and inadequacies.

“Francis himself saw that look and experienced that mercy on the same day 60 years previously as a 17 year old. He wanted us all to have that experience and to share it for others.

“May he see that look face to face in the house of the Father. Thank you Holy Father for your witness to the unfathomable mercy of God.”

Also speaking on the theme of mercy, Fr Frankie Mulgrew – precentor of Salford Cathedral – said: “Pope Francis once said ‘A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just,’, and reflected upon that ‘Jesus is the face of the Father’s mercy.’

“In calling a Year of Mercy and practicing mercy throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis recognised that we are living in a Season of God’s great mercy. There’s the famous story of him seeing a priest about to hear confessions in a Basilica in Rome and he encouraged him – to be merciful! And yes there was the invitation that we should talk about mercy from the pulpit but that we should also talk about it and display it outside of the church, on the streets, in our workplaces, in our homes and in our everyday life, as he showed in washing the feet of prisoners, visiting migrants and refugees, putting homeless people up in Church buildings, hugging and reaching out to those who had been shunned by society, pastoral visiting persecuted Christians, personally ringing people who were struggling with life.

“He seemed to make time for everybody and treat each individual as if they were the most important person alive. If that’s not showing the face of the Father’s mercy, I don’t know what is.”

Care for our Common Home

A key theme that is synonymous with the pontificate of Pope Francis is care for our common home. With Laudato Si’, he penned a letter to each and every person in our world to challenge the behaviours that have damaged God’s creation and to hand us the hope and encouragement to make a difference.

One parishioner who took this teaching as a personal mission is Pauline Riley, a parishioner at the Parish of the Nativity in Failsworth and Limeside.

She said: “We were very saddened to hear of the passing of our beloved Pope Francis – a man for the people and planet. 

“His encyclical Laudato Si’ is the driving force behind our parish’s community garden project. Through his words, he inspired us to gather volunteers of all faiths and none to come together to create and nurture a space where humans and wildlife can live in harmony.

“Pope Francis’s love for St Francis of Assisi shone through his pontificate and because of this love we dedicated our garden to this humble saint. 

“Through their simple living, they both taught us the virtues of humility and love.”

Promoting the Dignity of All

Pope Francis was also a pope of the people, championing the rights of all and challenging the injustices of poverty, discrimination, the plight of refugees, the impact of climate change, and more.

Patrick O’Dowd, Director of our diocesan charity, Caritas Salford, paid tribute to the late pope and his vibrant pontificate that wasn’t afraid to challenge the injustices of our world and call each and everyone of us to make a difference.

In his statement on behalf of Caritas Salford, Patrick said: “Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis has consistently highlighted the innate worth of every person, reminding us that each individual is created in the image and likeness of God.

A Vessel for Peace

Remembering his time in Rome as a deacon preparing for priesthood, Fr Michael Deas – youth chaplain and parish priest of St Cuthbert’s, Withington – reflected on Pope Francis’ message of peace.

He said: “I was blessed to have lived in Rome during the first few years of Pope Francis’ pontificate, so I was there during the conclave when he was elected and got to meet him twice. The second time was very profound as I was one of the deacons for him at Mass in St Peter’s. At the sign of peace, he came over and it was an embrace rather than the usual ‘English handshake’. So, I got a Pope Francis hug! And the only words he ever said to me were, ‘Pax tecum,’ – ‘Peace be with you.’

“Whenever we think of Pope Francis, we think of his gregarious personality, but during the liturgy, it was almost as if Pope Francis humbly decreased and disappeared, and it was Jesus shining through him.

“And this was very clear when we took over 40 young people to World Youth Day in Lisbon in 2023. During his homily at the closing Mass, he told the young people to shine, or rather let Jesus shine through them, to listen to Jesus, and not to be afraid to make the world a better place because Jesus is with them. It was amazing to witness 1.5 million young people feeling so close to the Pope and I hope they felt inspired by that same offer of the peace of Christ that I experienced 7 years earlier.

“I felt close to the Pope on that day in 2016, and I have felt a certain closeness to him ever since even though physically we have been far apart. And now, the love and peace of the Lord transcends time and space and conquers death so that we are closer than ever. And I pray that he is now experiencing the loving embrace of his Lord and Saviour.”

Sharing Memories

Do you have any special memories of Pope Francis that you’d like to share? Was there a particular way in which he inspired you in faith? Send us a message, audio, or video recording by emailing communications@dioceseofsalford.org.uk