In Loving Memory of Pope Francis

Photo: © Stefano Spaziani. All rights reserved

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that I join my brother Bishops, the faithful of the Diocese of Kamloops, the Catholic Church across Canada, and people of goodwill around the world in mourning the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. He returned to the Lord today, Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, in Rome, at the age of 88.

From the moment he stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in March 2013, Pope Francis captured the hearts of millions—not through power or prestige, but through humility, tenderness, and a deeply prayerful presence. His image of the Church as a "field hospital" became a beacon of hope to the wounded and weary. He reminded us that the heart of the Gospel is mercy, and he lived that message with tireless compassion.

As the 266th Successor of Peter, Pope Francis led us with courage and clarity. He urged the Church to go forth—to the margins, to the forgotten, and to those in need of healing. Through his teachings and actions, he reignited our call to be a missionary people, rooted in love and alive with the joy of the Gospel.

Pope Francis also called us to walk together as a synodal Church—to listen, to discern, and to accompany one another, especially those on the peripheries. His historic pilgrimage to Canada in 2022, and his heartfelt apology to Indigenous Peoples, were acts of courage and humility, and they have left an indelible mark on the path of truth, reconciliation, and healing in our land.

As we begin the Jubilee Year 2025 under the theme Pilgrims of Hope, we remember with gratitude the Holy Father who walked with us as a fellow pilgrim—guiding us toward Christ with joy, simplicity, and unwavering faith.

We commend Pope Francis to the mercy of the Risen Lord. May he rest in eternal peace, and may we honour his legacy by continuing the journey he began—living as pilgrims of hope, disciples of mercy, and faithful heralds of the Gospel.

In Christ,

Joseph Phuong Nguyen                                        

Bishop of Kamloops