Pope Francis will be remembered as ‘great’ leader, says Spalding’s Fr Jim Burke

Pope Francis will be remembered as a ‘great’ leader.

Fr Jim Burke, of Spalding’s Church of The Immaculate Conception and Saint Norbert, has led the local tributes to the head of the Catholic church, who passed away in the early hours of Monday (April 21), the day after giving his final blessing to the world and wishing everyone ‘Bouna Pasqua’ (Happy Easter).

“What a wonderful end to his amazing papacy,” Fr Jim said.

“We have had some great leaders in the Catholic Church, but this pope will be remembered as a great Pope.”

St Norbert’ has opened a book of condolence, which people are welcome to sign while there are also plans to hold a public Requiem Mass in Spalding for Pope Francis

Easter Sunday is the day that Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ from the dead – those who are baptised Christians believe too that they too share in Christ’s resurrection.

In his sermon on Easter Sunday, Fr Jim reminded the congregation: ‘Because Jesus has been raised from the dead, all of us who have been baptised and are united with him through faith are Easter people.

“We live in the light of Easter, no matter how deep the darkness that may envelope us at times.”

When he delivered those words, he could not have known the news that would break the following day – but he feels that it was the perfect end to this great pope’s life on Earth.

At Christmas last year, Pope Francis inaugurated a Jubilee Year of Hope – jubilee years in the Catholic Church generally occur every 25 years, it is a time of great blessing for Catholics worldwide; pilgrims travel to Rome to pass through the Holy Doors to receive special indulgences in the Holy Year.

Fr Jim explained: “It is just not possible for every Catholic to travel to Rome to visit the basilicas there to gain the special indulgences, so every Catholic cathedral throughout the world has been designated as a Jubilee Church, where Catholics can receive those same indulgences as if they were in Rome.

Pope Francis also invited the local bishops to nominate Jubilee Churches within their own dioceses to ensure as many people as possible can gain those same indulgences:

The Bishop of Nottingham, the Right Reverend Patrick McKinney, has nominated eight churches across his diocese as Jubilee Churches, among them is the Church of The Immaculate Conception and Saint Norbert.

The church is open for longer periods during the day for private prayer and devotions.

Tributes to Pope Francis have also been sent by the Right Reverend Patrick McKinney.

In a statement, Bishop McKinney said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of the Holy Father, Pope Francis.

“The Pope has left an indelible mark on the Church and the world, as a man of great warmth and humility who made use of his global prestige to highlight and to listen to the concerns of the poorest and most marginalised people across the world.

“The loss of the Holy Father will be deeply felt in all of our diocesan communities and well beyond, but I believe his legacy will live on.

“I was very privileged to meet Pope Francis in Rome on two occasions — first, upon my appointment as Bishop of Nottingham in May 2015, and once again during the ‘Ad limina’ visit of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales to Rome in 2018.

“Each time I was struck by his humility and warm welcome, deep love of Christ Jesus, desire to engage in dialogue, and his profound commitment to the Church and her mission.”