The Catholic Center for Studies and Media conveys condolences on passing away of Pope Francis

The Catholic Center for Studies and Media (CCSM) in Jordan conveys condolences on the passing away of Pope Francis, the 266th successor of St. Peter, the head of the Catholic Church and the bishop of Rome. The CCSM, in a statement issued by its Director Fr. Dr. Rif'at Bader, recalls the abounding benevolence conveyed by Pope Francis during his service and leadership of St. Peter's ship.

The CCSM points out that Pope Francis issued numerous appeals and pleas for the attainment of justice, silencing of weapons, as well as entrenching peace and harmony among nations and peoples, as stated in his final address delivered on Easter Sunday during his blessing of the City of Rome and the World.

The statement adds: "His Holiness the Pope used to daily call the priests of the Church of the Holy Family while extending to them assurances, and encouraging the displaced who fled the conflagration. He hoped, prior to passing away, to have the conflagration between Russia and Ukraine subside, while there is in heart two hopes, namely "peace in Gaza and Ukraine". The CCSM points out that Pope Francis also sought to encourage welcoming the forcibly displaced and the refugees from various parts of the world, while he classified the Mediterranean Sea as the "cemetery of migrants" in light of those who drowned in the sea while fleeing, as well as while seeking a free and dignified life.

Furthermore, the CCSM refers to the Christian-Islamic Dialogue in the entire world, which drew great attention from Pope Francis due to its sublime status particularly after the signing of "the Document of Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together" with Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tayyeb in February 2019 in Abu Dhabi. The CCSM also notes Pope Francis' great interest in the issue of environment which he termed as " Our Common Home" as well the proper use of modern technology tools, including social media and Artificial Intelligence, in the service of  harmony, peace, and public goodness while refraining from harming  the holy human dignity.

The Catholic Center adds in its statement: “We in Jordan, the land of baptism and the dawn of Christianity, were honored by the historic visit by Pope Francis in May 2014, where His Holiness met with His Majesty King Abdullah II, whom he always referred to as “the friend” and the “man of peace.” He celebrated Holy Mass at Amman Stadium, and offered a special prayer for peace in the Middle East at the Church of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the Baptism Site, which was inaugurated a few months ago, in the presence of his delegate Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The CCSM—while conveying condolences on the passing away of this noble personality that is characterized by humility and piety, and who hoped to have the entire world united in a comprehensive human fraternity-- pleads with God to grant unto him eternal rest and let the perpetual light shine upon him, and to send to the Church a successor of Pope Francis qualified with goodness, respect, and love that characterized his pontificate. Consequently, the CCSM pays tribute to all the seeds of goodness that were sowed by Pope Francis and the jubilee that he inaugurated in early 2025 to have the theme "Pilgrims of Hope". Thus, he is also the grand pilgrim of hope to have arrived in the Kingdom of God.

The CCSM will make announcements regarding the funeral arrangements for Pope Francis who chose to be buried is the Basilica of Saint Mary Major where he liked very much and used to pray frequently rather than in the Vatican.