Remembering Pope Francis

Upon his election to the papacy twelve years ago, Pope Francis, before giving the traditional papal blessing, first asked the people gathered in St. Peter’s Square and around the world to grant him a favor. Before blessing the people, he said, “I ask that you would pray to the Lord to bless me – the prayer of the people for their bishop. Let us say this prayer – your prayer for me – in silence.”

The very first step of his papacy was to be marked by the people’s prayer for their bishop. Now, as we gather to honor Pope Francis’ passing and his legacy of compassion, mercy, service, and his efforts to spread goodness to all, we again pray for our ‘bishop.’ We pause to celebrate his life, give thanks for his witness, and to ask for God’s blessing upon us as we honor his vision through the work that we share, as Bon Secours Mercy Health.