AS THE world grieves the death of Pope Francis, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin called on the faithful not only to mourn the late pontiff but live out his legacy of mercy that can “heal and create a new world.”
Reflecting on Divine Mercy Sunday in his homily for the second Mass of the novemdiales, or nine days of mourning, Parolin said Francis’s papacy was always a reminder to practice and show mercy.
“Our affection for him (Pope Francis), which is being manifested in this time, must not remain a mere emotion of the moment; we must welcome his legacy and make it part of our lives, opening ourselves to God’s mercy and also being merciful to one another,” Parolin, the secretary of state under the late Pope Francis, said.
One of the papabili or cardinals perceived to have the strongest chances to be elected pope, Parolin said the Pope believed mercy “takes us back to the heart of faith” and can address the world’s problems.
“Only mercy heals and creates a new world, putting out the fires of distrust, hatred and violence: this is the great teaching of Pope Francis,” he said.
“Pope Francis was a shining witness of a Church that bends down with tenderness towards those who are wounded and heals with the balm of mercy. He reminded us that there can be no peace without the recognition of the other, without attention to those who are weaker. There can never be peace if we do not learn to forgive one another.”
Pope Francis was laid to rest at the forecourt of the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome on Saturday in rites led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals.
His funeral Mass marked the first day of the novemdialies, or the nine days of mourning that will be held at St. Peter’s Basilica until May 4. The following cardinals were assigned to preside over the rest of the Masses:
- Third day: Cardinal Baldassare Reina, vicar general of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome
- Fourth day: Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St.Peter
- Fifth day: Cardinal Leonard Sandri, vice dean of the College of Cardinals
- Sixth day: Cardinal Kevin Farrell, camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church
- Seventh day: Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches
- Eighth day: Cardinal Angel Artime, pro-prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life
- Ninth day: Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, protodeacon of the College of Cardinals
The second day coincided with Divine Mercy Sunday, a feast instituted by Pope St. John Paul II every second Sunday of Easter.
Once the novemdiales concludes, the College of Cardinals will begin the conclave to select Francis’s successor.
