Following the Funeral Mass in Rome this morning for Pope Francis, the Diocese of Dunkeld gathered at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Dundee, in solemn unity to pray for the repose of his soul. Bishop Andrew McKenzie, joined by priests from across the diocese, celebrated a Requiem Mass, offering a heartfelt tribute to the life, ministry, and enduring witness of the late Holy Father.
In his homily, Bishop Andrew reflected on the outpouring of affection shown in recent days for Pope Francis:
“Over the last few days, thousands upon thousands of pilgrims have queued to pay their respects to Pope Francis lying in state. Huge crowds filled Rome this morning for his Funeral Mass and lined the streets as the Pope’s cortege slowly made its way from St. Peter’s Basilica to the Church of Mary Major.”
The Bishop described the scenes in Rome as a powerful testimony of faith and affection:
“The witness of so many confidently proclaiming their faith in Jesus Christ, their affection for Pope Francis, and their love for the church was, I’m sure you’d agree, an impressive sight. But for Pope Francis, the proclamation of the gospel starts with a mission to the poor, to the most vulnerable.”
Bishop Andrew went on to highlight Pope Francis’ enduring call to the Church to go beyond its walls and to live out the gospel among those most in need:
“Like Jesus, Pope Francis’ teaching challenges us to reflect on our witness to Christ today. For him, the church is Catholic insofar as it gathers those on the margins of society, those that are easily forgotten, into the good news of Jesus Christ. Pope Francis challenged not just with words, but by his example, by his ministry and his life.”
He continued by quoting from Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation on the joy of the gospel:
“According to Pope Francis, the church was born for this going out to the world, and that going out begins with the poor.”
“In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis writes, ‘I prefer a church which is bruised and hurting and dirty because it’s been out in the streets rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security. I do not want a church concerned with being at the centre and which then ends by being caught in a web of obsessions and procedures.'”
Turning to the late Pope’s vision for the clergy, Bishop Andrew reflected:
“To priests and to bishops, Francis offered the virtue of the good shepherd.”
“The good shepherd cares for the faithful, walks with them, encourages them in hope, seeking closeness with tenderness and compassion.”
The Requiem Mass in Dunkeld echoed the spirit of Pope Francis’ own papacy – a call to humility, to service, and to love for the least among us. As the universal Church mourns the passing of Pope Francis, the faithful of Dunkeld continue to pray that his soul may rest in peace, and that his legacy of hope and compassion endures.