PRAYING WITH POPE FRANCIS (1936-2025)

Presented by Brother Patrick

On the morning that Pope Francis passed from this life into eternal life, into the loving embrace of God, Cardinal Kevin Farrell said: “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and his Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with courage, fidelity, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized.” Likewise, Andrea Tornielli said: “The Holy Father showed a Church that takes the first step toward the sinner, just as Jesus did.”

With every thought, word, and deed, Pope Francis followed in the footsteps of the Poor Christ. He showed us again and again a Church that takes the first step toward every saint and sinner; toward every person who suffers; toward every person who feels lost, lonely, or left behind; toward every person who carries a heavy cross. In this spirit, we pray with Pope Francis:

Lord Jesus,
help us to see in your Cross
all the crosses of the world:

The cross of people
hungry for bread and for love.

The cross of people
alone and abandoned,
even by their children and kin.

The cross of people
thirsty for justice and peace.

The cross of people
who lack the comfort of faith.

The cross of the elderly,
who struggle under the weight
of years and loneliness.

The cross of migrants
who find doors closed in fear
and hearts armored
by political calculation.

The cross of little ones
who are wounded
in their innocence and purity.

The cross of humanity
that wanders in the darkness of uncertainty
and in the obscurity of temporal culture.

The cross of families
separated by betrayal,
by seductions of the evil one,
or by murderous levity and selfishness.

The cross of consecrated men and women
who tirelessly seek to bring
your light into the world,
but feel derided, rejected, or humiliated.

The cross of consecrated men and women
who along the way
have forgotten their first love.

The cross of your children
who believe in you,
who seek to live by your word,
but find themselves rejected or marginalized
by their families and their peers.

The cross of our weakness,
our hypocrisy, our betrayal, our sins,
and our many broken promises.

The cross of your Church,
that faithful to your Gospel,
still struggles to spread your love
even among the baptized.

The cross of your Church, your Bride,
that feels forever assailed
from within and without.

The cross of our common home
that is gravely withering
before our selfish eyes,
blinded by greed and power.

Lord Jesus, revive in us
the hope of your resurrection
and your definitive victory
over all evil and death. Amen.

Once again, we reflect on the words of Cardinal Farrell: “With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.” And so, we offer these prayers for the soul of our late and beloved pope:

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us, sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Pope Francis of Rome, pray for us!

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Brother Patrick Garvey is co-founder and spiritual director of the Assisi Project. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine, Saint John Seminary, and the Catholic University of America. He is a writer, spiritual director, retreat leader, and university lecturer. He also serves as an Associate Minister in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in Massachusetts. On October 3, 2023, the Feast of the Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi, Brother Patrick was consecrated as a diocesan hermit by Bishop Mark O’Connell, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Boston. For more information about the Assisi Project and our ministries with adults of all ages and backgrounds, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com.

Prayer: Way of the Cross (2019)
Art by Jos Creative – 227270272 – Dreamstime

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ABOUT US

Founded in 2007, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and followers throughout the world. We are dedicated to helping Christian believers of all ages more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. The Assisi Project is a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization. Please support our ministry via Pay Pal (see link below) or mail a tax-deductible donation to the Assisi Project, Post Office Box 3158, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01931-3158. The Assisi Project Podcast is produced by the Assisi Project, Inc. Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. May God bless you! May the Lord give you peace!

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