America’s most recognized Catholic prelate, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, responded to the death of Pope Francis this morning:

I join with people all over the world, not only Catholics, but people of all faiths or none at all, in mourning the passing of our beloved Pope Francis this morning.  How appropriate that his last public appearance was on Easter Sunday as we celebrated the joy of the resurrection of Jesus whom Pope Francis loved so deeply and so well, and right after our Jewish brothers and sisters, for whom Pope Francis had such great love, concluded their celebration of Passover.

I was honored to participate in the conclave that elected Pope Francis in 2013, and to have welcomed him here to New York in 2015.  He touched us all with his simplicity, with his heart of a humble servant.  Trusting in the tender and infinite mercy of Jesus, we pray that he is, even now, enjoying his eternal reward in heaven.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.

†Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan
Archbishop of New York

Dolan also hosted Pope Francis when the pope visited the United States in September 2015. Pope Francis wrote a 2013 apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, “The Joy of the Gospel,” which begins: 

The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew.

It continued:

The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ.

It figures Pope Francis would die Easter Monday, reminding us that the joy of the Resurrection of Jesus changes everything, and should every day of our lives.