In a statement, José Cordeiro reflected on the bravery of Pope Francis, who on Sunday, despite being gravely ill, appeared in St. Peter’s Square as if to bid farewell to the world and to all with whom he shared the Gospel of Christ.
“He left a substantial legacy, emphasizing that the core truths are visible from the peripheries, and those peripheries, representing the existential, the poor, the discarded, the excluded, help us to understand the center. Together, we progress as pilgrims of hope,” commented the Archbishop of Braga.
José Cordeiro also reminisced about his first meeting with Pope Francis on May 29, 2013, his own birthday.
“At that moment, I realized that everything is grace. His ability to instill courage and confidence made him an inspiring model, and he will continue to be so, as he opened the door to hope with the courage and determination of one who lives in Christ. As he expressed, faith is an encounter with the living Christ or it does not exist. The Church exists for this purpose—to evangelize, to propose with joy, hope, authenticity, and humility,” he noted.
Pope Francis passed away today at the age of 88, following a 12-year papacy characterized by addressing sexual abuse scandals, conflicts, and a global pandemic.
Born in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936, Francis was the first Jesuit to ascend to the leadership of the Catholic Church.
The Pope was hospitalized for 38 days due to bilateral pneumonia and was discharged on March 23.
His final public appearance was on Easter Sunday, in the Vatican, the day before his passing.
“Choosing to appear on the balcony and in the square, in the car, showcases the courage of someone who firmly believes and lives by their beliefs,” said José Cordeiro.
The Archbishop of Braga expressed that he received the news of the Pope’s death with sorrow and surprise, but also hope.
“Sorrow, surprise, and hope fill my heart upon learning of Pope Francis’s eternal Easter,” he stated.
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