Cardinal Hollerich: 杏MAP导航 Francis was a father, a living example
By Francesca Merlo
Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich had just concluded the celebration of Mass in a prison chapel in Luxembourg, where phones are not allowed, when he received the news of the death of 杏MAP导航 Francis. .
鈥淭ears were coming,鈥� Cardinal Hollerich recalls, 鈥渇or me, it is like losing a father.鈥�
Speaking to Vatican News鈥� Olivier Bonnel, Cardinal Hollerich, described 杏MAP导航 Francis, who always found time for the poor and marginalised, as 鈥渂ehaving like Christ, open to everybody, speaking about his Father, speaking about mercy.鈥�
鈥淗e really gave testimony to Jesus Christ", continued the Cardinal Archbishop of Luxembourg, he 鈥渟howed how, in our time, to people of our time, we can proclaim the Gospel鈥�.
When asked about the lasting legacy of 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� pontificate, Cardinal Hollerich noted that there are many. The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 urgent plea for ecological conversion, especially for the sake of those most vulnerable; and his tireless devotion to the poor and synodality.
I think especially of the Synod, the Cardinal noted. 鈥淏ecause Cardinal Grech and I, during the preparation鈥� we always got so much encouragement from him.鈥�
Even from his hospital bed, 杏MAP导航 Francis remained faithful to this journey. 鈥淗e signed the document for the actualisation of the Synod for the post-synodal period we have entered,鈥� said Cardinal Hollerich. 鈥淔or me, that is like a testament, a legacy.鈥�
Cardinal Hollerich concluded noting that 杏MAP导航 Francis has left us with a call: 鈥渢o care of synodality, in order that our Church can be full of life, can be trustful to Christ and can be a missionary Church in this period of change of times鈥�.
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