Today Catholics around the world are in mourning as they begin the 9-day Novendiale following the passing of Pope Francis.
Signalling the end of his 12-year papacy during which the 88-year-old pontiff demonstrated how simply remarkable he was in service to God and for so many people around the world.
I share the deep sadness felt by the Catholic community in Newham, and around the globe, in this saddest moment as millions honour the life and legacy of the late Pope Francis.
They will remember both his humility as a man of God, and his legacy of ‘seeing the poor’, which he undoubtedly be forever honoured for.
Poverty, was the subject he spoke most about. It was why Pope Francis was the name Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio chose to be called.
After St. Francis of Assisi, “the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation”.
Soon after being elected to the papacy in March 2013, Pope Francis said that he would like a church that is for the poor.
That’s the purpose he chose and may that long continue as a focus for all of us locally and globally, because it remains a pressing call for all of us.
For him, this was the moment to really see the poor.
I want to honour him today by reflecting on his words, which have deep meaning for me as I strive to tackle poverty and inequality in Newham, and be part of a global movement to tackle poverty around the world.
The late Pope Francis would often reflect on what Jesus observed: we will have the poor always.
Pope Francis said, “that is the truth…They are a reality we cannot deny… The poor are hidden because poverty is bashful. They are there because we don’t want to see them. To see the poor is to restore humanity.”
He went on to say, “I am going to dare to offer some advice. This is the time to go to the underground. To really see them, can help us to discover the piety. Which points towards to God and towards our neighbour. Go down to the underground…to the suffering flesh of the poor…This is the conversion we have to undergo. And if we don’t start there it won’t happen.”
So on this day of sadness and mourning, let’s reflect on the words of the late Pope Francis, and remember his ask of all of us - people of faith and none. Let’s go into the underground and act, because “to see the poor is to restore humanity”.
