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Bishop Richard Moth offered Mass for the repose of the Pope’s soul at Arundel Cathedral on Tuesday morning. Speaking during the homily, he said:
"I was in Rome with a number of diocesan deacons as part of the Holy Year celebrations, when Pope Francis first went into hospital in February. We prayed for the Holy Father during his time in hospital, and then came the news that he had returned once more to the Vatican. Pope Francis remained seriously ill; those of you who might have watched the Urbi et Orbi Easter Message on Easter Sunday would have seen just how much he was struggling and yet all of us, I'm sure, were shocked and surprised yesterday morning when the news came that the Holy Father had died.
"The experience of suffering and sickness is one that we all know, in various different ways.
"Even when we've travelled with somebody who is very seriously ill for some time, when the moment comes for them to be called home, it still always comes as something of a shock. And so it is in these days; the Church - and people of all faiths and none throughout the world, carry a sense of shock that the Holy Father has been called home.
"The response to today's Psalm, I suggest, sums up rather beautifully what Pope Francis' ministry has been about: 'The merciful love of the Lord fills the earth.' We might think back, for instance, to the Holy Year of Mercy, a whole year dedicated to reflecting on the mercy of God.
"We might reflect on the Holy Father's encyclical letters; Evangelii Gaudium brought us back to the essential message of the Gospel, calling us to be joyous in the good news of Jesus Christ, calling each and every one of us to turn our attention - in a new way - to the Word of God. Laudato si, reminded us of the challenge to our world presented by climate change, calling on governments and people across the world to care for our common home, and Amoris Laetitia explored the wonder of the vocation of marriage.
"It is interesting that the Pope's last great letter, Dilexit nos - published late last year - was about the love that we see in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I rather wonder whether history will look back and see Dilexit Nos as the greatest of the Pope's encyclical letters, because it calls us to the very heart of things; to the love that we see in the person of Jesus Christ - a love that we experience in His Word, a love that we encounter in the Eucharist, a love that we are called as His followers to share with our brothers and sisters across the world that 'the merciful love of the Lord fills the Earth'.
"We might also reflect, as we think about the Holy Father's life, on the way that he calls us to a greater simplicity. A simplicity not just in external things - but a simplicity that grows out of a life of prayer and thoroughgoing service. Putting prayer and the service of our brothers and sisters before all else requires simplicity, because it enables us to put aside the things that we don't really need to worry about.
"Pope Francis' ministry spoke so eloquently of that simplicity, of simply proclaiming the love of God.
"We saw the Pope simply living out a life of service on Easter Sunday morning, when as a very sick man - I suspect, knowing that his days were numbered - insisted on being with the people of God. Giving us - each and every one of us - the Easter Blessing.
"So, today we give thanks to God for a Pope who has been a blessing to the Church and to the world, and I invite all in our Diocese to join me in fervent prayer for the Holy Father; prayer that the Lord welcomes him into the Kingdom after his many years of completely devoted service to the Lord, and to the Church that Pope Francis was sent to serve.
"The time will come for us to pray for the cardinals as they gather in Conclave to elect the next successor of Peter, but for the time being let us continue our prayer for the Holy Father; we give thanks for all that he has given to us, and we mourn his loss.
"May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."
A Book of Condolence is available at the Cathedral, with additional books available at a number of diocesan churches. Condolences can also be sent via email to;
The Mass offered on Tuesday is the second that Bishop Richard has offered for the Holy Father's soul, with seven further Masses taking place over the next seven days. The Dean of Arundel Cathedral, Fr Stephen Dingley, will also celebrate a further seven Masses for the Holy Father at Arundel Cathedral or Our Lady of England Catholic Church, Storrington. Please note that this transcript has been edited for clarity.
