April 21, 2025
Easter Monday
My sisters and brothers in the Lord,
When he took the name of Francis in 2013, Cardinal Bergoglio surprised many. While Saint Francis of Assisi is admired by nearly the entire world and most people are aware of his incredible witness to Christ, very few seek even to dare to imitate him. Yet, Pope Francis has greatly succeeded in his intense devotion to the poor and marginalized to which Saint Francis dedicated much of his life.
Those who are easily forgotten or ignored, Pope Francis has consistently placed before our eyes and hearts, challenging each of us to stretch and even break the boundaries we often set to our charity.
Saint Francis of Assisi penned a poem near the end of his life, the Canticle of the Sun. Pope Francis has similarly seen in the faces of all those in need as well as the elements of nature itself as brothers and sisters. It is certain that Pope Francis has now hailed the end with these words of his model: “Welcome, my sister death.”
May Pope Francis rest in peace and may his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.
I am sincerely yours in Christ,
+ Earl Boyea
Bishop of Lansing