On the death of Pope Francis

Daughters of Charity Services pays tribute to the extraordinary life and work of Pope Francis.

Pope Francis with Sister Kathleen Appler, former Superioress General of the Daughters of Charity

The life of Pope Francis was one dedicated to the service of the poorest and most marginalised amongst us; a life lived in a truly Christian spirit, following Christ’s call to serve with dignity, love and compassion.

The Catholic Social Teaching which lay at the heart of Pope Francis’ ministry echoes the fundamental ethos of the Vincentian Charism, rooted in the teaching of Jesus, most clearly stated in the Gospel of Matthew (25:40):

“Whatever you did to the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you did to me.”

In 2021, Pope Francis addressed the global community of the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, calling on the community to:

“Look at the beauty of your vocation…God has entrusted his beloved poor to you… I invite you to work so that everyone may be guaranteed the fundamental rights that ensure a dignified life, to help safeguard our common home, to pass on faith and Christian values to the new generations, and to educate them to care for one another.”

The closing words of Pope Francis’ exhortation to the Daughters of Charity serve well to reflect his ministry of encounter, and his belief in the fundamental importance of relationships to the human experience:

“There is so much to do! God calls you to respond with your generosity. God calls you to meet, to listen, to walk in history, to walk together to share the events of humanity.”

We give thanks for an inspirational leader, gone home now to God.

Eternal rest grant upon him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace.