Let us take a moment of prayer and reflection to thank God for the life of Pope Francis. Through his inspiring leadership we can begin to see what we can do as a society to live a life closer to the Gospel and help to look after God’s creation. Pope Francis helped us see what it means to look after our common home and live a simpler more sustainable lifestyle in solidarity with the poor and marginalised. We thank you, Pope Francis, for your example and for you reminding us of Christ’s message and of the inspirational life of St Francis of Assisi. We thank you for your gentle teaching through your encyclicals, writings, words and your actions. In particular we thank you for your call through Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti for working together as a global family for peaceful coexistence and care including that very precious care for “our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs” [Canticle of Creatures, St Francis of Assisi; also Laudato Si’, 1, 2015].

It is fitting that our moment of thanks becomes a living thank-you to encourage the wonderful work of care of creation to continue and blossom…

(Pope Francis’ encyclicals are Lumen fidei, Laudato si’, Fratelli tutti, and Dilexit nos)