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Archbishop Rodi: Pope Francis' passing like a death in the family
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April 28, 2025By Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi
The term “Catholic imagination” refers to the fact that we Catholics often have a unique way of looking at things and understanding things. As an example, I recall once being in a conversation with some non-Catholics discussing what our churches taught in matters of faith. It struck me that when the non-Catholics spoke of their “church” they meant the congregation to which they belonged. They spoke about what their pastor preached and what he explained to them. However, as a Catholic, when I spoke about my “church” I meant the Church throughout the world in union with the Pope. It struck me that the Catholic imagination is different. When we speak about the “Church” we tend to mean the Universal Church in union with the successor of Peter.
Catholics believe that the role of the Pope is of divine institution. The Bible tells us that Jesus had many disciples, the men and women who followed him. From His disciples, the Lord selected 12 men, whose names are recorded in the Gospels for a special ministry. From the 12, Jesus chose one apostle, Simon, for a ministry of leadership. Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, which means rock, and said “upon this rock I will build my church” (Mt 16:18). After His resurrection, the Lord said to Peter: “Feed my lambs…Tend my sheep” (Jn 21). Jesus gave to Peter the ministry to encourage His followers in the faith and to be a source of unity.
Peter became the Bishop of Rome and it was there that he was martyred. However, we do not believe the role of Peter died with Peter any more than the Church died with Peter. Jesus intended this role to continue in the Church. Therefore, whoever succeeds Peter as Bishop of Rome succeeds Peter in the ministry entrusted to Peter by the Lord Himself. We call the Bishop of Rome the “Pope,” a word which means “father.”
Because of the special role of the Pope in the life of the Church, it affects the entire Church when the Pope dies. It is almost like a death in the family. This was demonstrated by the recent death of Pope Francis.
So, we pause and we give thanks to God for the blessing that Pope Francis has been to the Church. Pope Francis devoted his life to serving God and God’s people. He truly had a pastoral heart. It was striking that when he was discharged from the hospital after spending 38 days of a critically illness, his doctors told the Pope he needed total rest. Instead, on Holy Thursday the Pope was visiting inmates at the Rome prison and on Easter he was riding through St. Peter’s Square greeting the thousands of pilgrims. He wanted to be with the people.
He had a special ability to be aware of the needs of others. He wanted the Church to serve those who were overlooked, those who were struggling, those who felt cast off. He wanted us to listen to one another and to discern what the Lord was asking of us. He wanted us to be open to where the Lord was leading us.
Every human organization must have structure, even the Church. Jesus Himself established a structure of the Church by selecting apostles and entrusting Peter his unique role. However, it is human nature that over time structures intended to serve people can atrophy into institutions more intent on self-preservation than on the original purpose of service. This can be true of the universal Church, dioceses, parishes, and religious orders. Pope Francis repeatedly called all of us to serve and warned of the dangers of being overly institutional. He gave the Church a human face. What a blessing he has been to us.
We now entrust Pope Francis to the loving and merciful embrace of our loving God. May he rest in peace.
More:
Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi's statement on the morning of Pope Francis' death
Poor and powerful pray for eternal repose of a pope 'with an open heart'
With pastor's touch, Pope Francis preached mercy, embraced 'peripheries'
Conclave to elect next pope will begin May 7