A Message from Pax Christi International’s Co-Presidents, Bishop (Emeritus) Marc Stenger and Sr. Teresia Wamuyu Wachira, on the Passing of Pope Francis

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

Today, Monday, 21 April 2025, we, the members of Pax Christi International (PCI), our friends, and those we serve across the globe, share with you, and with all the people of the world, this great loss, while holding on to the hope of the resurrection.

At the news of Pope Francis’ passing, it is not only the Catholic Church that is in mourning, it is humanity as a whole. With his departure, we do not simply honour the defender of an institution, but one who stood for the human person. From the very beginning of his pontificate, he reminded us that the Church’s centre of gravity is found on the peripheries. In the early days of his ministry, he travelled to Lampedusa to visit the graveyard of migrants, laying wreaths upon the Mediterranean Sea as upon a tomb.

We feel deep sorrow at the loss of a shepherd who not only “smelt of the sheep” but also modelled for us what it means to live the Gospel of nonviolence through his words and deeds of love and care for the poor, the sick, the lonely, the abandoned, the rejected, the displaced, the misunderstood, and all those who continue to experience war and violent conflict in different parts of the world.

He sought to defend creation, not only for the sake of humanity, but also for God, the Creator, as expressed in his encyclical Laudato Si’. He promoted human fraternity as the key to the meeting of peoples in Fratelli tutti. He chose as the emblem of his ministry a pectoral cross depicting the Good Shepherd carrying his sheep, and in doing so, inspired many bishops who are conscious of their responsibilities as shepherds.

In his last Easter message of 2025, Pope Francis, amid his own illness and vulnerability, did not forget to share words of encouragement and hope for those suffering in various parts of our world. He also invited us: “On this day, to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different from ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas… For all of us are children of God!”

His message, as always, was one of love, mercy, compassion, and hope: “Sisters and brothers, especially those of you experiencing pain and sorrow, your silent cry has been heard and your tears have been counted; not one of them has been lost! In the passion and death of Jesus, God has taken upon himself all the evil in this world and, in his infinite mercy, has defeated it. He has uprooted the diabolical pride that poisons the human heart and wreaks violence and corruption on every side. The Lamb of God is victorious! That is why, today, we can joyfully cry out: ‘Christ, my hope, has risen!’” (Easter Sequence)

What a great message you have left us to help us continue this journey, despite the sorrow in our hearts today as you leave us and return to be with God, whom you loved, lived, served, and shared with the whole world.

Pax Christi wishes to honour Pope Francis for having clearly reminded the Church of its Gospel direction: not to serve an institution, but to serve humanity.

May you enjoy the fullness of life with God, who is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
Go well, our loving, merciful, and compassionate shepherd.

Today, as we reflect on your great, inspiring, and heartfelt message, “together with the Risen Jesus”, you have become a “pilgrim of hope, witness of the victory of love and of the disarmed power of life,” having surrendered your whole life to God, who created you and called you to live and serve among us here on earth.

Cover Picture by Ágatha Depiné on Unsplash