The Cardinal lauded the Holy Father’s initiative for the multi-year Synod on Synodality, saying, “He championed a vision of a synodal Church rooted in communion, participation, and mission.”
According to Cardinal Dogbo, Pope Francis’ vision guided many of his reforms, including efforts to streamline the annulment process for divorced and remarried Catholics and promote pastoral closeness to those on the margins.
“The synodal Church is not something outside the Catholic Church. It is the Catholic Church living more fully its vocation to be a community of pilgrims walking together toward God’s eternity,” he said.
The Catholic Church leader, who was created Cardinal during the December 2024 Consistory, underscored the significance of the ongoing Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, saying the Pope’s death at the very outset of this holy year speaks volumes.
“As soon as we began this jubilee of hope, he went to the Father’s house, where hope is fully realized. That is no coincidence. It is a message to remind us that we are on a journey, and we must walk together in respect, in communion, and in joyful witness,” Cardinal Dogbo said.
He added, “The Pope invited us to live in hope. Hope does not disappoint. We are pilgrims of hope. We will pray that the Lord receives him into His paradise and strengthens us in our pilgrimage on earth.”
Pope Francis’s coffin now lies in St. Peter’s Basilica, where it will remain for three days of public viewing.
The Funeral Mass for the late Holy Father has been scheduled for Saturday, April 26, in St. Peter’s Square. He is to be laid to rest at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, as he explained in his testament.
Kevin Joseph Cardinal Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy See’s Apostolic Chamber, who, in a video message, announced the passing on of the 88-year-old Pontiff, is leading the Vatican affairs and the Papal transition.
Vatican physician, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, has since confirmed that Pope Francis died from a stroke, coma, and irreversible cardiac arrest. He had been struggling with double pneumonia and a respiratory infection. He led the Catholic Church for a little more than 12 years.
