Bishop Libby writes:

It was my profound privilege to have an audience with Pope Francis soon after I was consecrated Bishop in 2015.

He was generous with his time and gracious and humorous in his conversation (spending as time discussing football with me as expressing celebration and care for my ministry).

As was his practice, Pope Francis asked that I pray for him, and I have done so for the past 10 years.

As Archbishop Stephen has noted in his tribute, ‘Pope Francis whole life was centred on Jesus who comes among us not to be served but to serve … Francis showed us how to follow Jesus and encouraged us to go and do likewise’.

He was a holy and humble man. Although I am saddened by the news of his death and recognise the grief felt by millions of Roman Catholics across the world today, having celebrated Easter yesterday, he died in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection knowing the joy of the risen Christ. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

Please join me in in prayer, giving thanks for his life and ministry:

Father in heaven, we praise your name for all who have finished this life loving and trusting you for the example of their lives, the life and grace you gave them and the peace in which they rest.
We praise you today for your servant Francis and for all that you did through him.
Meet us in our sadness and fill our hearts with praise and thanksgiving,
for the sake of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ.
Into your hands, O merciful Saviour, we commend your servant Francis.
Acknowledge, we pray, a sheep of your own fold,
a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming.
Enfold him in the arms of your mercy,
In the blessed rest of everlasting peace and in the glorious company of the saints in light.
Amen.