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In a message to the Archdiocese, Archbishop John calls on us to imitate Pope Francis in being a great witness to the Gospel

Pope Francis, Archbishop John said, was “one of the world’s great witnesses to the Gospel and to the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ”. In a message to the Archdiocese, the Archbishop of Southwark called on us to imitate the Holy Father and be witnesses to the Gospel too.

Speaking directly to the priests of the Archdiocese, Archbishop John drew on a message from Pope Francis to priests last year in which he called on them to become the “Veronica of every face, of every tear”. It is by being a “true Icon of Jesus”, Pope Francis said that is achieved, and Archbishop John added that:

“It is by putting the love of the Lord Jesus for us all at the centre of our ministry, that we can be the true icons of Jesus we are called to be”.

The Archbishop said to the baptised followers of the Lord Jesus in our Archdiocese, that they too are called to “emulate Pope Francis and be a witness to the truth of the Gospel and the promises of Christ our Lord”.

Archbishop John said:

“The Lord Jesus, the Holy Father made clear, never hesitated to speak the truth. Pope Francis said, Christ did this even at the cost of “not being understood” and “of becoming unpopular”, even to the “point of dying on the Cross”.

In our lives, we are called to carry the cross of our Lord, and never be afraid to speak the truth of his Gospel. Never with force or anger, but with the love and mercy of the Lord Jesus.

The Holy Father was deeply devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and in a nod to this devotion, Archbishop John highlighted Pope Francis’ call on us all to imitate Mary’s yes to the Lord.

Concluding his message, Archbishop John said “let Pope Francis’ legacy be a legacy of love” and called on us to be:

a witness to the Gospel, a witness to the love and mercy of Christ, and never be afraid to speak the truth of the Lord Jesus and his saving Gospel with compassion.

You can read the full message below or watch it via our YouTube channel.

Archbishop John’s message to the Archdiocese on Pope Francis

Dear friends, the outpouring of sorrow at the death of Pope Francis, not just within our Church, but across the world, demonstrates the impact the Holy Father had.

The reason for Pope Francis's profound impact is simple to explain, but it is one which can be challenging to emulate.

The Holy Father was one of the world's great witnesses to the Gospel and to the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In a troubled world, which can sometimes appear to be so at odds with the values of our faith, it can feel difficult or even scary to be a witness to the Gospel.

But in Pope Francis we saw not only how it can be done, but also the difference it will make. Not only to our lives, but to the lives of all those we encounter too.

To my brother priests, his legacy of love for Christ and His people should be one we seek to emulate every day in our ministry.

Last year, in a message to priests, Pope Francis called on us to become the “Veronica of every face, of every tear”. But how do we do this? By being a “true icon of Jesus”, he said.

The Holy Father said this constantly means seeing every man, woman and child “as a member of the Mystical Body of Christ”. It is by putting the love of the Lord Jesus for us all at the centre of our ministry, that we can be the true icons of Jesus we are called to be.

So unite yourself to the Lord in prayer. With every person you encounter, especially those who are suffering or on the margins: love them as Jesus loves them. Be Veronica and wipe away their tears and pain. Guide them to the Lord Jesus. Pray for them and be a true icon of Jesus, A true witness to the Gospel in this troubled world.

To my baptised brothers and sisters, you too are called to emulate Pope Francis and be a witness to the truth of the Gospel and the promises of Christ our Lord. The Holy Father provided us with valuable insight into how we are called to live our lives as followers of the Lord Jesus.

The Lord Jesus, Pope Francis said, always sided with the least, teaching his disciples to do the same. This is how we need to be in our lives, in our parishes, in our families, and in our work. Always siding with those on the margins as the Lord Jesus called us to.

The Lord Jesus, the Holy Father made clear, never hesitated to speak the truth. Pope Francis said, Christ did this even at the cost of “not being understood” and “of becoming unpopular”, even to the “point of dying on the Cross”.

In our lives, we are called to carry the cross of our Lord, and never be afraid to speak the truth of his Gospel. Never with force or anger, but with the love and mercy of the Lord Jesus.

As Pope Francis often did, he also used the Blessed Virgin Mary to help us understand how we are called by the Lord. The Blessed Mother, Pope Francis said, is the Mother who takes us by the hand to Jesus. This is why we are called to turn to our Lady ourselves entrusting ourselves to her and imitating her yes to the Lord.

Mary's yes, Pope Francis said, represents the “pinnacle of every religious attitude before God”. Let us say yes to the Lord. Say yes to his call to love our brothers and sisters. Say yes to the Lord's call to be witnesses to the Gospel.

So my call to all Catholics in our Archdiocese, to my brother priests, deacons, religious and consecrated persons is this:

Let Pope Francis's legacy be a legacy of love. A love for all we encounter. Show people the love and mercy of Christ. Welcome them into our parishes. In everything you do, be a witness to the Gospel, a witness to the love and mercy of Christ, and never be afraid to speak the truth of the Lord Jesus and his saving Gospel with compassion.

Please continue to pray for Pope Francis and may God bless you and keep you.

Amen.