'Unexpected gift': Pope Francis farewelled in Australia
Australian Catholics have gathered to commemorate the life of Pope Francis at the first local services since his funeral, remembering him as a beacon of light for a world shrouded in darkness.
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The Advertiser
12-05-2025
- The Advertiser
'Pope Francis leaves a legacy in all of us': a message from First Nations leader
On the day a new Pope was selected to lead the Catholic church, Theresa Ardler has remembered the legacy left by her close friend, Pope Francis. The Wreck Bay resident and First Nations leader was one of the last people to visit Pope Francis at the Vatican before his death on April 21, 2025. And she said he "leaves a legacy in all of us". Their final meeting marked the end of a unique and deeply personal journey that began in 2022 and blossomed into a lasting spiritual bond. She shared their story. The founder of Gweagal Cultural Connections and a Vatican diplomat first met Pope Francis in May 2022 when she was invited to the Vatican to speak on behalf of Indigenous peoples from the Oceania region. Ms Ardler was touched by the Pope's advocacy for the poor and struggling areas in the world, not only through the people but also their environments. "His encyclical was to reach out and understand the stories of the people from the peripheries," she said. This message resonated deeply with her as she shared with him the devastating impact of PFAS contamination on her community in Wreck Bay. He became invested in her journey, and they formed a strong relationship and connection. The two stayed in touch over the years, and Ms Ardler not only grew close to Pope Francis, but came to see him as family. She received a phone call from the Vatican on April 21, 2025, which happened to be her birthday, saying Pope Francis wanted to see her. "It was just me and his dog Esteban, and he was in his wheelchair, he had oxygen because he couldn't speak much," she said. Ms Ardler received a special birthday present from Pope Francis before she left - a set of rosary beads, the third set he had gifted her. "[He said the rosary had] a special heart and so I opened it and it was beautiful and he blessed it for me," she said. "I will cherish that forever." The Pope died a few hours later. When the Pope's death was announced Ms Ardler was staying within walking distance of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major and was among the first to sign the condolence book. "It was just very sombre in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major," she said. Though she did not attend the funeral, she was present at the Pope's burial, sitting beside his nephew and beloved dog. She later celebrated mass with Swiss Guards, Vatican officials, and cardinals, where she met Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. "It was very beautiful and something I'll never forget in my lifetime," she said. Ms Ardler said she would always carry with her the message of Pope Francis' call to care for the poor and the marginalised. "I believe I really connect with that because I'm an Indigenous Australian and we are marginalised in this country as well," she said. "Our way of living and doing is very simple, but at the same time, we are struggling with climate change as it unfolds before our eyes." Ms Ardler admired the Pope's humility, which she said was reflected in the simplest of choices, like his refusal to wear the traditional red papal shoes. "He was buried with his black shoes that he borrowed from a friend in Argentina, Buenos Aires," she said. "Pope Francis decided to only wear black shoes because he represented the poor of society and the marginalised." Ms Ardler left Rome with a broken heart and was deeply shattered. However, she said felt joy in hearing the good news that Pope Leo XIV was selected as Pope this morning [May 9]. She said the recently ordained Pope had similar beliefs surrounding the poor and could continue the work the late Pope Francis started during his pontiff. She looks forward to visiting the Vatican in a few months to officially welcome Pope Leo XIV. On the day a new Pope was selected to lead the Catholic church, Theresa Ardler has remembered the legacy left by her close friend, Pope Francis. The Wreck Bay resident and First Nations leader was one of the last people to visit Pope Francis at the Vatican before his death on April 21, 2025. And she said he "leaves a legacy in all of us". Their final meeting marked the end of a unique and deeply personal journey that began in 2022 and blossomed into a lasting spiritual bond. She shared their story. The founder of Gweagal Cultural Connections and a Vatican diplomat first met Pope Francis in May 2022 when she was invited to the Vatican to speak on behalf of Indigenous peoples from the Oceania region. Ms Ardler was touched by the Pope's advocacy for the poor and struggling areas in the world, not only through the people but also their environments. "His encyclical was to reach out and understand the stories of the people from the peripheries," she said. This message resonated deeply with her as she shared with him the devastating impact of PFAS contamination on her community in Wreck Bay. He became invested in her journey, and they formed a strong relationship and connection. The two stayed in touch over the years, and Ms Ardler not only grew close to Pope Francis, but came to see him as family. She received a phone call from the Vatican on April 21, 2025, which happened to be her birthday, saying Pope Francis wanted to see her. "It was just me and his dog Esteban, and he was in his wheelchair, he had oxygen because he couldn't speak much," she said. Ms Ardler received a special birthday present from Pope Francis before she left - a set of rosary beads, the third set he had gifted her. "[He said the rosary had] a special heart and so I opened it and it was beautiful and he blessed it for me," she said. "I will cherish that forever." The Pope died a few hours later. When the Pope's death was announced Ms Ardler was staying within walking distance of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major and was among the first to sign the condolence book. "It was just very sombre in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major," she said. Though she did not attend the funeral, she was present at the Pope's burial, sitting beside his nephew and beloved dog. She later celebrated mass with Swiss Guards, Vatican officials, and cardinals, where she met Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. "It was very beautiful and something I'll never forget in my lifetime," she said. Ms Ardler said she would always carry with her the message of Pope Francis' call to care for the poor and the marginalised. "I believe I really connect with that because I'm an Indigenous Australian and we are marginalised in this country as well," she said. "Our way of living and doing is very simple, but at the same time, we are struggling with climate change as it unfolds before our eyes." Ms Ardler admired the Pope's humility, which she said was reflected in the simplest of choices, like his refusal to wear the traditional red papal shoes. "He was buried with his black shoes that he borrowed from a friend in Argentina, Buenos Aires," she said. "Pope Francis decided to only wear black shoes because he represented the poor of society and the marginalised." Ms Ardler left Rome with a broken heart and was deeply shattered. However, she said felt joy in hearing the good news that Pope Leo XIV was selected as Pope this morning [May 9]. She said the recently ordained Pope had similar beliefs surrounding the poor and could continue the work the late Pope Francis started during his pontiff. She looks forward to visiting the Vatican in a few months to officially welcome Pope Leo XIV. On the day a new Pope was selected to lead the Catholic church, Theresa Ardler has remembered the legacy left by her close friend, Pope Francis. The Wreck Bay resident and First Nations leader was one of the last people to visit Pope Francis at the Vatican before his death on April 21, 2025. And she said he "leaves a legacy in all of us". Their final meeting marked the end of a unique and deeply personal journey that began in 2022 and blossomed into a lasting spiritual bond. She shared their story. The founder of Gweagal Cultural Connections and a Vatican diplomat first met Pope Francis in May 2022 when she was invited to the Vatican to speak on behalf of Indigenous peoples from the Oceania region. Ms Ardler was touched by the Pope's advocacy for the poor and struggling areas in the world, not only through the people but also their environments. "His encyclical was to reach out and understand the stories of the people from the peripheries," she said. This message resonated deeply with her as she shared with him the devastating impact of PFAS contamination on her community in Wreck Bay. He became invested in her journey, and they formed a strong relationship and connection. The two stayed in touch over the years, and Ms Ardler not only grew close to Pope Francis, but came to see him as family. She received a phone call from the Vatican on April 21, 2025, which happened to be her birthday, saying Pope Francis wanted to see her. "It was just me and his dog Esteban, and he was in his wheelchair, he had oxygen because he couldn't speak much," she said. Ms Ardler received a special birthday present from Pope Francis before she left - a set of rosary beads, the third set he had gifted her. "[He said the rosary had] a special heart and so I opened it and it was beautiful and he blessed it for me," she said. "I will cherish that forever." The Pope died a few hours later. When the Pope's death was announced Ms Ardler was staying within walking distance of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major and was among the first to sign the condolence book. "It was just very sombre in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major," she said. Though she did not attend the funeral, she was present at the Pope's burial, sitting beside his nephew and beloved dog. She later celebrated mass with Swiss Guards, Vatican officials, and cardinals, where she met Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. "It was very beautiful and something I'll never forget in my lifetime," she said. Ms Ardler said she would always carry with her the message of Pope Francis' call to care for the poor and the marginalised. "I believe I really connect with that because I'm an Indigenous Australian and we are marginalised in this country as well," she said. "Our way of living and doing is very simple, but at the same time, we are struggling with climate change as it unfolds before our eyes." Ms Ardler admired the Pope's humility, which she said was reflected in the simplest of choices, like his refusal to wear the traditional red papal shoes. "He was buried with his black shoes that he borrowed from a friend in Argentina, Buenos Aires," she said. "Pope Francis decided to only wear black shoes because he represented the poor of society and the marginalised." Ms Ardler left Rome with a broken heart and was deeply shattered. However, she said felt joy in hearing the good news that Pope Leo XIV was selected as Pope this morning [May 9]. She said the recently ordained Pope had similar beliefs surrounding the poor and could continue the work the late Pope Francis started during his pontiff. She looks forward to visiting the Vatican in a few months to officially welcome Pope Leo XIV. On the day a new Pope was selected to lead the Catholic church, Theresa Ardler has remembered the legacy left by her close friend, Pope Francis. The Wreck Bay resident and First Nations leader was one of the last people to visit Pope Francis at the Vatican before his death on April 21, 2025. And she said he "leaves a legacy in all of us". Their final meeting marked the end of a unique and deeply personal journey that began in 2022 and blossomed into a lasting spiritual bond. She shared their story. The founder of Gweagal Cultural Connections and a Vatican diplomat first met Pope Francis in May 2022 when she was invited to the Vatican to speak on behalf of Indigenous peoples from the Oceania region. Ms Ardler was touched by the Pope's advocacy for the poor and struggling areas in the world, not only through the people but also their environments. "His encyclical was to reach out and understand the stories of the people from the peripheries," she said. This message resonated deeply with her as she shared with him the devastating impact of PFAS contamination on her community in Wreck Bay. He became invested in her journey, and they formed a strong relationship and connection. The two stayed in touch over the years, and Ms Ardler not only grew close to Pope Francis, but came to see him as family. She received a phone call from the Vatican on April 21, 2025, which happened to be her birthday, saying Pope Francis wanted to see her. "It was just me and his dog Esteban, and he was in his wheelchair, he had oxygen because he couldn't speak much," she said. Ms Ardler received a special birthday present from Pope Francis before she left - a set of rosary beads, the third set he had gifted her. "[He said the rosary had] a special heart and so I opened it and it was beautiful and he blessed it for me," she said. "I will cherish that forever." The Pope died a few hours later. When the Pope's death was announced Ms Ardler was staying within walking distance of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major and was among the first to sign the condolence book. "It was just very sombre in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major," she said. Though she did not attend the funeral, she was present at the Pope's burial, sitting beside his nephew and beloved dog. She later celebrated mass with Swiss Guards, Vatican officials, and cardinals, where she met Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. "It was very beautiful and something I'll never forget in my lifetime," she said. Ms Ardler said she would always carry with her the message of Pope Francis' call to care for the poor and the marginalised. "I believe I really connect with that because I'm an Indigenous Australian and we are marginalised in this country as well," she said. "Our way of living and doing is very simple, but at the same time, we are struggling with climate change as it unfolds before our eyes." Ms Ardler admired the Pope's humility, which she said was reflected in the simplest of choices, like his refusal to wear the traditional red papal shoes. "He was buried with his black shoes that he borrowed from a friend in Argentina, Buenos Aires," she said. "Pope Francis decided to only wear black shoes because he represented the poor of society and the marginalised." Ms Ardler left Rome with a broken heart and was deeply shattered. However, she said felt joy in hearing the good news that Pope Leo XIV was selected as Pope this morning [May 9]. She said the recently ordained Pope had similar beliefs surrounding the poor and could continue the work the late Pope Francis started during his pontiff. She looks forward to visiting the Vatican in a few months to officially welcome Pope Leo XIV.
Sydney Morning Herald
09-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
The speech, the clothes, the name: Three clues about new Pope's leadership
'It could be said that Leo's first appearance on the balcony meant: 'I am not Francis, but Francis' vision will continue.' ' Loading Kurt Martens, who teaches at The Catholic University of America in Washington, said references in Leo's speech to embracing the whole world as well as synodality were signs the new pope would continue to focus on the poor and those on the margins of societies. The clothes Unlike Francis, who spurned many of the trappings of the papacy from the day he was elected, Leo wore the 'mozzetta', an elbow-length red cape, over his white cassock, suggesting a return to some degree of tradition. He also wore an ornate red and gold stole with illustrations of the four gospels in the New Testament over his shoulders, the gold pectoral cross that is traditionally offered to a pope when he accepts the office, and a white skullcap, known as a 'zuchetto' or 'pileolus'. Loading Francis wore all white vestments and a simple cross when he first appeared on the balcony in 2013, signalling his desire for simplicity, before later adding the stole. The new name For most of the Catholic Church's first millennium, popes used their given names. The practice of adopting a new name became ingrained during the 11th century, and from the mid-20th century, new popes began to choose names signalling the aim of their papacy, according to Reverend Roberto Regoli, a historian at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University. Loading The last pope to take the name was Leo XIII, an Italian who led the church from 1878 to 1903. That Leo softened the church's confrontational stance toward modernity, especially science and politics, and laid the foundation for modern Catholic social thought. His most famous encyclical, Rerum Novarum of 1891, addressed workers' rights and capitalism at the beginning of the industrial revolution. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni told reporters the new Pope's decision to be called Leo XIV was a deliberate reference to the previous Leo, although some academics speculated he could also have wanted to signal a strong line of continuity: Brother Leo was the 13th-century friar who was a great companion to St Francis of Assisi, the late pope's namesake. The name 'is a deep sign of commitment to social issues', Manhattan University's chair of religious studies Natalia Imperatori-Lee said. Where does he stand on key issues? Loading Though he has kept a low media profile, Leo is seen as ideologically aligned with Francis, particularly in prioritising outreach to the poor, care for migrants, and a less hierarchical vision of church leadership. He told the Vatican's official news website last year that 'the bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom'. On women in the church, Leo's views appear aligned with Francis', who opened more leadership roles to them than any previous pontiff, while affirming the church's teaching barring the ordination of women as priests, The Washington Post reports. However, Leo's record also contains more conservative elements. In a 2012 address, he criticised Western media for promoting 'sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel', referencing same-sex families and what he called the 'homosexual lifestyle'. While he supported Francis' pastoral move to allow Communion for divorced and remarried Catholics, he showed only reserved backing for blessings of same-sex couples. His handling of clerical abuse cases during his time in Peru is expected to come under closer scrutiny now that he has ascended to the papacy. Still, within the Vatican, Leo is regarded as a unifying figure. His international experience and quiet diplomacy allowed him to navigate the ideological and regional divides among the cardinals. His election may mark a stylistic shift from Francis' more outspoken leadership, but not necessarily a reversal of his reforms. The new Pope's brother, John Prevost, described him as being very concerned for the poor and those who don't have a voice, saying he expects him to be a 'second Pope Francis'. 'He's not going to be real far left and he's not going to be real far right,' he said. 'Kind of right down the middle.' What is the Augustinian order he's a part of? The new pope was formerly the prior general, or leader, of the Order of St Augustine, formed in the 13th century as a community of 'mendicant' friars dedicated to poverty, service and evangelisation. The order's requirements and ethos are traced to the 5th century St Augustine of Hippo, one of the theological and devotional giants of early Christianity. It works in about 50 countries, promoting a contemplative spirituality, communal living and service to others. A core value of the order is to 'live together in harmony, being of one mind and one heart on the way to God'. Heir apparent In many ways, Francis saw Prevost as his heir apparent. Francis sent Prevost to take over a complicated diocese in Peru, then brought him to the Vatican in 2023 to serve as the powerful head of the office that vets bishop nominations from around the world, one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church. In January, Francis elevated him into the senior ranks of cardinals, giving him prominence going into the conclave that few others had. But there had long been a taboo against electing a pontiff from a country whose geopolitical power loomed so large in the secular sphere. Prevost, a Chicago native, was seemingly eligible because he's also a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop.
Canberra Times
08-05-2025
- Canberra Times
Australians welcome news of Pope Leo XIV
"He will be warmly welcomed by the Church in Latin America, as Pope Francis was, by the Church in the United States from where he comes, from the English-speaking world as a native English speaker, and from the whole Church as a man of God steeped in the rich spirituality of his Augustinian Religious Order."
