21-04-2025
Religious, political leaders across Aotearoa mourn Pope Francis' death
Photo:
AFP
Religious and political leaders across Aotearoa are mourning the death of Pope Francis, remembering him as a global figure of humility, courage, and compassion.
The 88-year-old pontiff, the first Latin American to lead the Catholic Church, died just a day after making a surprise Easter Sunday appearance in St Peter's Square.
He had recently survived a serious bout of double pneumonia.
Across the country tributes have poured in from church leaders and politicians alike, honouring his commitment to social justice, his advocacy for the poor and marginalised, and his efforts to bring the Church closer to the people.
Longtime New Zealand Catholic spokesperson Dame Lyndsay Freer said churches across the country would pay their respects to Pope Francis.
"There'll be masses of thanksgiving for his life in all of our parishes and after his actual funeral there will be formal masses of thanksgiving, memorial masses, here in New Zealand," she said.
She said there would be masses for thanksgiving for his life in churches across New Zealand and that many may even be heading over to Italy.
"The crowds [in Italy] are just unbelievable.
"It's just amazing how Italy manage these huge crowds of hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people.
"I was actually there when he was elected in St. Peteres Square when the white smoke came up that elected Pope Francis," she said.
Auckland Bishop and president of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference Steve Lowe said that while the Pope had not visited New Zealand, he had a deep love for the Catholic faithful across the world.
"While he didn't set foot on our shores, we know the deep love that Pope Francis had for the Catholic faithful scattered across the world," said Lowe.
"Through his visits to places like Papua New Guinea, Mongolia and Indonesia, Francis knew the appeal and the impact of the papacy in all corners of the globe," he said.
Dunedin Diocese's Catholic Bishop Michael Dooley said the Pope stood up for people in poverty and migrants.
"He was pretty courageous really in standing up and speaking for those people, and I think probably by his way of life too he backed it up with his actions, so it was obviously something that was dear to his heart."
"One of the things he's done is what's called the Synodality.... he's got us, looking at being a more listening church, more listening people.
Dooley met the Pope in 2019 alongside four other New Zealand bishops and said Francis was open and welcoming.
He said the death of the pontiff felt similar to a family member dying.
"I've been quite amazed and inspired by what he's done."
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said his thoughts were with Catholics and all those in New Zealand and around the world who mourn his death.
"A man of humility, his legacy includes an unwavering commitment to the vulnerable, to social justice and to interfaith dialogue," Luxon said.
Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said throughout his papacy, the Pope had shown deep compassion and an unwavering commitment to social justice, inclusion and the dignity of every person.
"He stood up for action on climate change, championed peace through his diplomacy, and advocated for the rights of migrants and refugees," Hipkins said.
"His leadership challenged us all to build a fairer and more caring world," he said.
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