The Charles Plater Trust is deeply saddened by the death of His Holiness Pope Francis this morning. We give thanks for his inspiring ministry and witness as a fearless champion of all those who are excluded and shunned in society. He not only proclaimed Catholic Social Teaching through his powerful encyclicals but lived out its commitments on a daily basis. He spoke truth to power and was a brave voice for all those whose inalienable dignity is threatened – the homeless, prisoners, migrants and all on the sharp end of conflicts and social injustices.
Elected to the papacy in March 2013, our Trust Manager remembers meeting Pope Francis during Caritas’ conferences at the Vatican City:
“As a family, we were lucky enough to meet Pope Francis and receive a blessing from him in the summer of 2018. I was rather awe-struck during the encounter, but my daughter then three, showed no such social awkwardness and spontaneously asked him what his favourite flavour of ice-cream was. In true Pope Francis style he laughed heartily and confessed to her that it was chocolate!
His ability to relate pastorally, whether talking to a toddler or to a world leader, was so apparent to me at that time. It was his authenticity that I found so compelling – he wasn’t just ‘on script’ in terms of talking about contemporary social injustices but rather lived Gospel and CST values, actively choosing simplicity and an instinct for solidarity with the marginalised as the defining characteristics of his leadership. We thank God for his ministry and the challenge to do likewise.”
Bishop Richard Moth, Chair of the CPT, said:
“As we mourn the death of Pope Francis, we can also be deeply grateful for his life of service to the Universal Church. He called us all to simplicity of life, a renewed openness to the gift of mercy, a deeper understanding of the dignity of the human person and a respect and care for creation. May he rest in peace.”
