Dear brothers and sisters in Christ!
It is with deep sadness that we announce that our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, has gone home to our heavenly Father. His departure is a great loss for the entire Church, including us, the Catholics of Estonia, who have known his fatherly love, care and prayers.
Pope Francis was a faithful disciple of Christ who left a deep mark on the history of the Church with his humility, simplicity and unwavering commitment to the Gospel. He always stood by the poor and needy and calls us all to live according to the values of faith and love. He emphasized the importance of mercy and reminded us that the power of Christ is manifested above all in our love for our neighbor.
We remember with gratitude his apostolic visit to Estonia in 2018 when he met with us at Tallinn’s Vabaduse Square and gave the whole of Estonia a message of hope and fidelity to God. His words remain with us: “God never withdraws his love!” These words resonate especially strongly in our hearts today and invite us to trust in God’s love even in moments of grief and sorrow.
At this time, when the Church mourns the loss of its shepherd, I invite all Catholics in Estonia to join in prayer for the soul of Pope Francis and also for the Church throughout the world.
Let us also pray for the new Pope, whom the Holy Spirit chooses as leader of the Church, so that he may continue the mission of Christ and lead the people of God on the path of truth and love.
Let us entrust the soul of our beloved Pope Francis to the care of God’s infinite mercy. May his life and ministry be an example to us, and may the Lord give us the strength to walk the path of faith and love that he showed us.
I join you in prayer and in faith in Christ’s promise of eternal life.
+ Philippe Jourdan
Bishop of Tallinn