Arlington Catholics are honoring the late Pope Francis as a bridge builder who sought to care for society’s most vulnerable people.
Hours after the pontiff died at the age of 88 this morning (Monday) in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, Arlington Bishop Michael Burbidge issued a statement remembering the pope’s commitment to “the infinite dignity of every human person.”
“Pope Francis called us to live the joy of the Gospel and be a Church of missionary disciples who go out and accompany those on the peripheries of society,” Burbidge wrote. “The Holy Father urged everyone to work together in a spirit of fraternal solidarity and dialogue to overcome conflicts and injustices, to care for our common home, and to build bridges of peace and reconciliation.”
Burbidge is scheduled to hold a memorial mass at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More (3901 Cathedral Lane) on Wednesday at 12:05 p.m.
Arlington Chancellor Monsignor Paul deLadurantaye, who worked in the Holy See for six years and regularly interpreted for the pope, described him as a leader who sought to be “a sign of unity, a sign of humanity, a sign of fraternity among the world’s peoples.”
“Pope Francis, in his words, and his deeds, and his actions, and the example that he gave, spoke very strongly to that and called us all to do the same — to recognize one another as brothers and sisters in Christ and in the human family,” he told ARLnow. “Certainly for the Catholics of the Arlington community, again, it’s like losing the father of a family.”
Despite Francis’ approach to sensitive subjects such as climate change, immigration, poverty and LGBTQ+ issues defining his reputation around the world, deLadurantaye emphasized the pope’s attempts to connect with people of all backgrounds and political affiliations.
“He rose above those kinds of political labels by focusing everything on the gospel, pointing always back to Christ. What does Jesus ask of us, if we’re going to be his disciples?” the chancellor said. “I think that’s how he rose above the, sort of, political lens by which many people see events.”
Still, deLadurantaye predicted that conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and elsewhere in the world will be on cardinals’ minds as they select Francis’ successor. So will questions closer to home in Arlington and across the Potomac, although the chancellor noted that the pope is “not going to insert himself into particular questions of any nation.”
In his final months, the religious leader publicly tangled with President Donald Trump’s administration over immigration, war and other international matters. Vice President JD Vance was one of the last world leaders to meet with the pope on Easter Sunday yesterday.
“The pope kind of transcends particular partisan arguments over policy issues and the like,” deLadurantaye said. “But he stands up and says: let’s remember human dignity. Let’s remember our real, genuine use of our freedom is not to oppress one another, but to serve and support one another.”
Bishop Burbidge’s full statement is below.
I join with Catholics and all people of goodwill across the Diocese of Arlington, the nation and the world in prayer as we mourn the death of Pope Francis. Over the course of his long life, the Holy Father served as a witness to the risen Christ, our source of hope for eternal happiness.
The Holy Father’s pontificate was marked by his desire that all may draw nearer to the heart of Jesus and bear witness to his unconditional love. Pope Francis called us to live the joy of the Gospel and be a Church of missionary disciples who go out and accompany those on the peripheries of society. The Holy Father urged everyone to work together in a spirit of fraternal solidarity and dialogue to overcome conflicts and injustices, to care for our common home, and to build bridges of peace and reconciliation. In what has already become an enduring image of his pontificate, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis emerged alone on the steps of Saint Peter’s Basilica to direct the gaze of the world to our Eucharistic Lord for an extraordinary moment of global Adoration and blessing. The Holy Father reminded us: “God turns everything to our good.”
In the course of his Apostolic Journeys and in meetings with political and religious leaders, as well as people from all walks of life, Pope Francis constantly drew attention to the infinite dignity of every human person, especially the unborn, the poor, the migrant, the innocent, and those most vulnerable, observing that they can easily be cast aside by a “throwaway culture.” In that light, the Holy Father spoke often of the parable of the Good Samaritan, reminding us that we are all brothers and sisters to one another and that our words and actions should reflect the Lord’s closeness, compassion, and protection.
Providentially, Pope Francis gave us this Jubilee Year of Hope. Pope Francis recently observed that we are all pilgrims of hope, journeying together towards “the grandeur of the heavenly goal to which we have been called.” It is this very Christian hope that makes possible our trust in God, our Heavenly Father, as he opens the doors of eternal life to Pope Francis. We unite now in prayer for our departed Holy Father, trusting that our loving God will grant him the reward of his labors and welcome him into the kingdom of heaven. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May our Holy Father Pope Francis rest in peace.
