At Requiem Mass in Mauritius, Pope Francis Lauded for Attention to the Poor, Care for “our common home”

He noted that throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis revealed the maternal face of a Church that leans over those who are wounded, especially by sin.

“The Pope from the ends of the earth did not change the teachings of Christian tradition received over 2,000 years. But by placing mercy at the center of his magisterium in a new way, he changed the perception many had of the Church,” the Mauritian Catholic Church leader said.

He continued, “Throughout his pontificate, the 266th successor of Peter showed the face of a Church that is close, capable of tenderness and compassion, welcoming everyone, even at the risk of being misunderstood and without worrying about criticism.”

Recalling the Holy Father’s visit to Mauritius in 2019, Bishop Durhône said the Pope “expressed closeness to our Mauritian reality when he spoke about young people’s suffering and their uncertain future.”

He said Pope Francis’ ministry, marked by his travels, social advocacy, and digital presence, was a mission of hope.

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“Pope Francis reminded the Church and every Christian to be bearers and builders of hope by serving the most vulnerable and sharing in the joys and sorrows of others,” the Catholic Church leader said.

Bishop Durhône said the Holy Father “not only proclaimed hope” but “gave visible signs of it in our time: by protecting the dignity of every human person, such as migrants, campaigning against the death penalty and poverty, striving for peace, and defending the gift of life.”

To remain rooted in hope during this Jubilee Year, he said, “Pope Francis leaves us a legacy: the rediscovery of a synodal Church—where the Pope, Bishops, Deacons, Women and Men Religious, and the laity all learn to walk together, paying attention to those at risk of losing hope.”

“Pope Francis was a great Pope for the way he led us to walk joyfully together in the footsteps of Jesus, to open ourselves to fraternity, to live in unceasing mercy—a Pope great by his life given in service,” Bishop Durhône said.

He added, “I was deeply marked by his vision of the Church. His dream of a more welcoming and fraternal Church will continue to inspire generations. May his legacy be a light for the future.”

Thousands of pilgrims continue to pay homage to Pope Francis, whose coffin 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.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.