Archbishop: Pope has left a legacy of the Resurrection and Hope

By Klysha Best

In a poignant Requiem Mass held April 25 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon paid tribute to the late Pope Francis, whom he described as a “man of extraordinary depth” with a profound understanding of Resurrection that extended beyond mere historical fact.

The Mass drew a packed congregation that included President Christine Kangaloo, then Prime Minister Stuart Young, former parliamentarians, members of the diplomatic corps, and religious leaders. Argentina’s Ambassador to Trinidad & Tobago, His Excellency Gustavo Martínez Pandiani, did the First Reading.

In his thought-provoking homily, Archbishop Gordon reflected on the transformative impact Pope Francis had on the world and the Church.

“Pope Francis lived out of the dimension of the Resurrection… And in living it, he showed us what living the Resurrection looks like” he stated, challenging the congregation to rethink the Resurrection not as a past event but as an active reality available to all.

“To believe in the Resurrection is to look straight into the eyes of death and declare, ‘death, you have no power!’ because we believe that Jesus Christ has risen.”

Highlighting the late Pope’s approach to numerous global challenges, Archbishop Gordon said that in each area where death was predicted—whether in the family, the environment, or with migrants—”Pope Francis saw life where others saw despair.”

He emphasised that the Holy Father’s teachings called for a living faith that actively engages with the complexities of the world.

Reflecting on Pope Francis’ first encyclical, Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel, he described it as a declaration of life amid the darkness.

“He gave us a charter for living the life of the Resurrection here and now, right in the midst of a very complex and challenging world.”

The Archbishop said Pope Francis urged the faithful to see families and the planet as woven into the fabric of God’s creation.

Archbishop Gordon also reflected on how Pope Francis addressed the plight of migrants, invoking the image of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as refugees.

He emphasised that “every refugee is part of the holy family,” urging society to advocate for, protect, and integrate migrants into communities rather than viewing them as burdens.

According to Archbishop Gordon, Pope Francis was a man who had a contemplative gaze. “He didn’t see the world as we see it ordinarily. Francis saw it through the gaze of Jesus Christ and through the gaze of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.” “Pope Francis’ contemplative gaze changed the way we saw so many of the burning social issues of the day.”

The Archbishop shared personal anecdotes from his journey as a leader, acknowledging how often Pope Francis’ insights compelled him to reassess his own perspective.

“There were many times when my own thinking was disrupted by the thinking of Pope Francis. Many times where I had to go back again to prayer and mull over his words and what he was asking us as a Church to do.”

In closing, Archbishop Gordon expressed gratitude for Pope Francis’ contributions to the Church and the world, calling for the congregation to reflect on where they might address “death” within their own communities.

He pondered if the Pope were to visit T&T, where would his contemplative gaze focus.

“Where is the death being celebrated in our country?” he urged. “He [Pope Francis] would turn his gaze to issues like racism and negativity prevalent in our society and remind us that we are all brothers and sisters.”

With heartfelt words, Archbishop Gordon bid farewell to a leader who had profoundly influenced the world, reminding the faithful that the legacy of Pope Francis would be one of compassion, moral authority, and a call to bring the light of Christ’s Resurrection into every corner of life.

Also sharing sentiments at the Requiem Mass was Fr Josué Frédéric Ilboudo, the Deputy Head of Mission of the Apostolic Nunciature. (Read his statement – page 12)