Friday of the 6th Week of Eastertide
Acts 18:9-18
Jn 16:20-23
“So it is with you: you are sad now, but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy, and that joy no one shall take from you.“
The passing of Pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo XIV have made the past few weeks particularly memorable. For me, there are a number of reasons – Pope Francis’ high public profile (the first person to tell me about his passing was an atheist colleague), the fact that I had watched him give his ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing live on YouTube just the day before, and the fact that I felt a personal connection to Pope Francis because of his pastoral visit to Singapore last year – contributed to my unexpectedly strong shock and grief. Though I knew I should give thanks for Pope Francis’ compassion and dedication in serving our Lord and his flock to the very end and rejoice that he is now with Jesus, I still found his passing hard to accept, and attempted to take part in as many prayers and memorial services as my schedule allowed.
Ironically, I had also just started reading Hope, Pope Francis’ autobiography, during Holy Week, since I had happened to find a copy at the library. Although the news initially made me reluctant to continue, I decided after a few days that I would (also because it might be difficult to borrow the book again in the near future). It turned out to be an expansive and eye-opening read, which made me realise my woeful ignorance about history (e.g. Argentina’s ‘Dirty War’) and international issues such as the plight of migrants (the book’s prelude about the sinking of the Princessa Mafalda is particularly harrowing). What also struck me were the vivid stories Pope Francis meticulously recounted about his family, friends, neighbours, teachers, students, priests and many other people he had encountered during his studies and work, as well as how he had remained in contact with many of them throughout his life.
In the meantime, I watched the livestreams of events such as Pope Francis’ funeral and the Novemdiales masses whenever I could. Slowly, the weight of sorrow begin to lift (this video by Fr Mike Schmitz on mourning Pope Francis the person while ensuring the continuity of the papal position helped). I surprised myself by staying up to watch the beginning of the Conclave and got excited enough to sneak peeks at the Vatican chimney (and seagulls) for the next two days. Unsurprisingly, I spent another night awake to watch the announcement of the new Pope. Though I was as astonished as everyone else to hear the cardinal electors’ choice of Cardinal Robert Prevost, I remembered that Pope Francis had also not been a ‘front-runner’ (I particularly enjoyed reading his account of his reactions during his own Conclave) and subsequently learned that Pope John Paul II’s election had also been completely unexpected.
I thought these examples spoke of the power of the Holy Spirit, and somehow this knowledge brought an unexpected sense of reassurance and hope as we watched Pope Leo XIV gradually take on more events over the next days and weeks. Although the constant media coverage and intense analysis over how Pope Leo XIV would follow in Francis’ footsteps occasionally made me feel as if we were stalking a celebrity, it did help me relate better to Pope Leo XIV (just like how Instagram helped me know more about Pope Francis’ activities and messages) and it was enlightening to hear the commentator remind us during Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration mass that he is a successor of Peter, and not Francis.
I am resolved to pray for both of them, inspired by how these events occurred during the Jubilee Year of Hope, and try to persevere in my renewed interest in our Church’s traditions (like Gregorian chant!) and the Holy Father’s work.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Jaclyn Lam)
Prayer: Lord, continue to send your Holy Spirit down upon your Church in this time of transition. In your grace, grant Pope Leo XIV humility, wisdom, courage and compassion as he begins his pastoral ministry as Pope and protect him as he carries out his duties. May we all be renewed in hope and charity.
Thanksgiving: Lord, we thank you for the blessing of Pope Francis’ papacy, the examples which he faithfully set and the messages which he tirelessly preached. We pray that we continue to remember and carry on his legacy.
OXYGEN 
Leave a comment