We thank God for Pope Francis – for his life, faith and service, for his compassion for those who are on the margins of society, and his work to highlight environmental concerns.  We pray for our dear friends in the Roman Catholic Church at this time. In the joy of this Easter Season we rejoice that through the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ we know that death is the gateway to new life in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Rest in peace Pope France and rise in glory.

We are sad to hear the news of the death of Pope Francis and send our deepest condolences to our friends in the Roman Catholic Church, especially our brothers and sisters here in Peterborough. We give thanks for Pope Francis’s life and ministry, for his example of faithfulness, humility and call for peace and justice for the world’s poorest and those whose voices are not heard. We will continue to be inspired by his campaigning for climate justice and environmental concern. In the joy of this Easter Season we can rejoice that Jesus has won the victory over death and new life is the gift of God through the resurrection. We pray for Francis, that he may rest in peace and rise into this glorious new life.