Today, Catholics around the world mourn the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, and has gone home to the Lord whom he loved and served.
Pope Francis showed us what it means to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. He served the Catholic Church faithfully. He was known for his great humility, his trust in God’s mercy, his care for the poor, and his desire for peace and dialogue with all people. He encouraged the Church to listen, walk together, and care for one another and all creation.
We remember with gratitude his 2022 visit to Canada, when, even at the age of 85, he made what he called a “pilgrimage of penance” to walk with Indigenous Peoples on the path of healing and reconciliation.
I have had the privilege of meeting Pope Francis on four occasions. Each encounter with him will remain close to my heart as I experienced his genuine pastoral care, warmth, simplicity, and joy rooted in the Gospel. In 2015, he called me to the episcopate, and I will forever be grateful for this call.
In this Jubilee Year, as we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, we give thanks for the life and service of Pope Francis. Yesterday, in his final words, he wished us a blessed Easter. These words will remain with us as a testament of his life.
May our lives be Paschal lives, because, after all, we are an Easter People. In the life of Pope Francis, the Pasch has already been fulfilled.
In life and in death, we belong to the Lord. (Rom 14:8)
Most Rev. Joseph Dabrowski, CSMA
Bishop of Charlottetown
Statement by Bishop Joseph on the Death of Pope Francis
Déclaration de Mgr Joseph Dabrowski sur la mort du pape François