The leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, died in the early morning of Easter Monday, April 21; the day after giving what was to be his final blessing to the world and wishing everyone ‘Bouna Pasqua’ (Happy Easter).
Easter Sunday is the day that Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ from the dead – those who are baptised Christians believe too that they too share in Christ’s resurrection.
In my sermon on Easter Sunday, I reminded the congregation: “Because Jesus has been raised from the dead, all of us who have been baptised and are united with him through faith are Easter people.
“We live in the light of Easter, no matter how deep the darkness that may envelope us at times.”
When I delivered those words, I could not have known the news that would break the following day – but I feel that it was the perfect end to this great pope’s life on earth.
Let’s be honest, Pope Francis was never going to fully recover, what a wonderful end to his amazing papacy. We have had some great leaders in the Catholic Church, but this pope will be remembered as a great pope.
Christmas 2024, Pope Francis inaugurated a Jubilee Year of Hope – jubilee years in the Catholic Church generally occur every 25 years, it is a time of great blessing for Catholics worldwide; pilgrims travel to Rome to pass through the Holy Doors to receive special indulgences in the Holy Year.
It is just not possible for every Catholic to travel to Rome to visit the basilicas there to gain the special indulgences, so every Catholic cathedral throughout the world has been designated as a ‘Jubilee Church’ where Catholics can receive those same indulgences as if they were in Rome.
Pope Francis also invited the local bishops to nominate ‘Jubilee Churches’ within their own dioceses to ensure as many people as possible can gain those same indulgences: the [Catholic] Bishop of Nottingham, the Right Reverend Patrick McKinney, has nominated eight churches across his diocese as ‘Jubilee Churches’ amongst them is the Church of The Immaculate Conception and Saint Norbert, Spalding.
The church is open for longer periods during the day for private prayer and devotions.
We have also opened a book of condolence, which people are welcome to sign.
Thank you to those who have been in touch to offer their condolences at this time.
There are plans to hold a public Requiem Mass in Spalding for Pope Francis as soon as the funeral arrangements in Rome have been published.
Parish Priest Fr Jim Burke
Spalding
