24-04-2025
Leitrim Priest in Rome describes sense of ‘mixed emotions' following ‘bittersweet' death of Pope Francis
Father Gerry Comiskey, who a priest in the Diocese of Kilmore and a native of County Leitrim, has been in Rome since January on a study programme at the Pontifical North American College.
Fr Comiskey participated in the Easter ceremonies at St Peter's Basilica over the weekend and was in the city when the news emerged that Pope Francis had passed away.
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The death of Pope Francis was announced on Easter Monday morning and The pontiff's funeral will take place at the Vatican on Saturday morning.
The Vatican said he died following a stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure at 7.35am on Monday.
Fr Comiskey is staying in Rome until Tuesday and will attend the Pope Lying in State on Thursday and Friday, while he will also attend the funeral on Saturday.
The Pope will lie in state inside the church until his burial at St Mary Major in Rome, also on Saturday.
Speaking of Pope Francis' last appearance on Sunday, Fr Comiskey said there was great excitement but also a sense of sympathy as he appeared to be in a frail state.
'He did attend Easter Sunday Mass – the most important day in the Church's calendar and there was a crowd of around 35,000-40,000 people in St Peter's Square.
'There was great jubilation when he appeared, the moment he spoke the few words, we all recognised that his voice was very weak and he himself was frail.
'There was actually sympathy for the man.
'I think there is a profound message for us – he was there for the great Alleluia– he wanted to hear the resurrection becoming proclaimed again for one last time.
'Then quietly God called him to the Father's house on Monday morning.
'I think that is profound and mysterious. It teaches us a lesson. The Pope wanted us to believe more definitely in Jesus Christ. He wanted us to be enthusiastic and committed.
'His passing on Easter Monday is just a mystery that we should ponder,' said Fr Comiskey.
Fr Comiskey said due to the Pope's ill health, there is mixed emotions in Rome following his passing.
'I think there is very mixed emotions.
'There is great sadness because he was a much loved Pope and much loved Holy Father. But, there is a quiet acceptance that death had to come to him at some stage.
'The Catholic Church is like a great big family and when there is a death in the family, there is of course great sadness but if a grandparent or great grandparent is very elderly or feeble, finding it hard to breath, there is certain relief that their sufferings are over and in the case of the Pope that he does not have to suffer anymore.
'It is bittersweet.
'It is the most beautiful season – these 50 days of Easter.
'At home in the Northwest of Ireland, my ancestors loved to hear of someone dying in the days of Easter Week - they felt that paradise was surely a place of welcomes,' said Fr Comiskey.
Fr Comiskey met Pope Francis in 2017 and seen him earlier this year when he first arrived in Rome.
Fr Comiskey said the Pope was known for his humble and kind nature, which he displayed right until the end of his life.
Reflecting on Holy Thursday, Fr Comiskey said, 'On Holy Thursday, there was 1,800 priests concelebrating the Chrism Mass and we quietly were hoping that the Pope would come and see us that day, but instead he went to the prison to visit the prisoners and that was an amazing gesture for an old sick man.
'It really was the measure of the man,' said Fr Comiskey.
Fr Comiskey has heard many stories of Pope Francis and said he was 'a wonderful example of humility.'
'Even when he came into St Peter's Square, he came in on a small car, he never wanted to be driven in a Merc.
'One day during my studies here, I went to visit a Contemplative Order of Nuns – an enclosed order – there is 27 of them in the community.
'They told us that the Pope had visited them three times – once he came announced, but the other two times he came back unannounced.
'His secretary and himself just arrived and said we have come to pray, say Mass and to have a meal with you.
'He did not stand on ceremony or sending messengers out saying prepare the way, he would just drop in like any parish priest,' said Fr Comiskey.
