Mourning Pope Francis

Message from Monsignor Bob on Pope Francis’ death

We mourn the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday after celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus.  Pope Francis taught us to be protectors of life, which begins with life in the womb and then is equally sacred in every moment and stage of life.  He called us to be protectors of creation and to be a church of the poor.  Taking the name of St. Francis of Assisi, he asked that we be people of peace and to work for peace in the world.  He was a Pope of humility and compassion, reminding us that the church is a mother where all her children find a home.  We pray that Pope Francis now rest in peace and share the fullness of life and joy in heaven.

Blessings,

Msgr. Bob Cilinski
Pastor
Nativity Catholic Church

Statement of Bishop Michael F. Burbidge on Pope Francis’s Passing into Eternal Life

April 21, 2025

I join with Catholics and all people of goodwill across the Diocese of Arlington, the nation and the world in prayer as we mourn the death of Pope Francis. Over the course of his long life, the Holy Father served as a witness to the risen Christ, our source of hope for eternal happiness.

The Holy Father’s pontificate was marked by his desire that all may draw nearer to the heart of Jesus and bear witness to his unconditional love. Pope Francis called us to live the joy of the Gospel and be a Church of missionary disciples who go out and accompany those on the peripheries of society. The Holy Father urged everyone to work together in a spirit of fraternal solidarity and dialogue to overcome conflicts and injustices, to care for our common home, and to build bridges of peace and reconciliation. In what has already become an enduring image of his pontificate, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis emerged alone on the steps of Saint Peter’s Basilica to direct the gaze of the world to our Eucharistic Lord for an extraordinary moment of global Adoration and blessing. The Holy Father reminded us: “God turns everything to our good.”

In the course of his Apostolic Journeys and in meetings with political and religious leaders, as well as people from all walks of life, Pope Francis constantly drew attention to the infinite dignity of every human person, especially the unborn, the poor, the migrant, the innocent, and those most vulnerable, observing that they can easily be cast aside by a “throwaway culture.” In that light, the Holy Father spoke often of the parable of the Good Samaritan, reminding us that we are all brothers and sisters to one another and that our words and actions should reflect the Lord’s closeness, compassion, and protection.

Providentially, Pope Francis gave us this Jubilee Year of Hope. Pope Francis recently observed that we are all pilgrims of hope, journeying together towards “the grandeur of the heavenly goal to which we have been called.” It is this very Christian hope that makes possible our trust in God, our Heavenly Father, as he opens the doors of eternal life to Pope Francis. We unite now in prayer for our departed Holy Father, trusting that our loving God will grant him the reward of his labors and welcome him into the kingdom of heaven. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May our Holy Father Pope Francis rest in peace.

Diocesan priests reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis

Anna Donofrio and Jim Hale | Catholic Herald Staff Writers | April 21, 2025

He advocated for the poor, the elderly, migrants and refugees. He championed care for creation and an end to global wars. Over the course of his 12-year pontificate, Pope Francis sought to uplift the marginalized and unify a global church in faith and service to the poor. His words and actions resonated in the hearts of Catholics across the globe, including priests and parishioners in the Arlington diocese.

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Msgr. Robert C. Cilinski, pastor of Nativity Catholic Church in Burke, said that the pope’s “warmth, humility and vision has inspired and captivated the world.”

Pope Francis “reminded us that just as St. Joseph protected the Holy Family, we should be protectors of life, starting with the baby in the womb where life begins, and then all life and creation — protecting the earth, our common home, was a main teaching of his papacy,” said Msgr. Cilinski.

“Pope Francis called us to be a church of the poor, caring for the most vulnerable members of society. His first trip outside of Rome was to the Italian island of Lampedusa, the entry point of migrants to Europe, fleeing death and extreme poverty. Pope Francis put the last first, as Jesus taught us. He took the name of Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Italy and of the poor, and was the only pope to choose his name. He called us to be people of peace,” he said.

Msgr. Cilinski had a special message for those who grew up during the dozen-year pontificate of Pope Francis. “To our youth, Pope Francis has been your pope, the pope of your childhood and your teenage years,” he said. “For me it was Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI. They inspired me as Pope Francis inspires you. Every pope of my lifetime has been a gift. We entrust Pope Francis to God — God’s gift to us, with praise and thanksgiving.”

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