Pope Francis, Rest in Peace

I have just learned the news of the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88. The announcement was made by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, with these words: "At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the Father's house. He dedicated his entire life to the service of the Lord and the Church."

I am Catholic. Therefore, I wish Francis a welcome in the Father's House. I ask those of you who are Catholics to pray for his soul, for his successor, and for the Church, so that the cardinals may know how to choose the best possible person to assume this great responsibility. From Pope Francis's last public appearance, yesterday, I would like to highlight these words:

In the Lord's Easter, death and life have faced each other in a prodigious duel, but the Lord lives forever and instills in us the certainty that we too are called to share in the life that knows no sunset, where the thunder of weapons and the echoes of death will no longer be heard. Let us entrust ourselves to Him, for only He can make all things new.

Rest in peace.

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Photo: Vatican Media.