WE WERE CAUGHT by surprise last month when Pope Francis died. Even though he’d been seriously ill and looked unwell, his public appearance at Easter made many of us hope that he would continue to shepherd our emerging synodal church for a few more years. Of course, it was an unrealistic expectation of an

ailing 88-year-old. Perhaps we felt like the first disciples when, after hearing Jesus was going to leave them, they realised how inadequately prepared they felt for a future without him. Now, 2,000 years later, just as those early disciples did, we must rely on the Spirit and all we have learnt from Francis, to continue shaping a synodal church for the mission of God in our time.

Francis’s funeral united mourners around the world, such is the beauty of livestreaming. His large, plain coffin lay unadorned except for a single book (the commentators called it the Gospels but blowing in the wind the pages appeared blank) — not even a tiny posie. The liturgy was familiar — the same as we might have in a parish although we’d want some sign of our family connections. It was severe and resplendent, dignified and well-practised and focused on supporting Francis into the “next world”. The singing was gloriously traditional and every aspect of the occasion was precision-managed, including the distribution of Communion to the vast crowd and the informed commentary. Symbolically the funeral was both gripping and alienating.

There was little that symbolised a synodal church — a church of all the baptised. From our bird’s-eye view we saw acres of clerics in matching outfits front and centre. It was a completely male cast — I’m not sure that two, or maybe three, women having a walk-on part made any symbolic dent in the maleness. We saw a church inhabited by clerics, managed by clerics and owned by clerics. I know that Francis did not make big changes for women’s

inclusion and equality in the Church but I expected that there would be more than a token inclusion of women in the liturgy. (I’m sure there are Catholic women weightlifters who would have volunteered to be pallbearers!)

The thing is, if we are all equal by Baptism then we must see women alongside men taking part in Church gatherings. And if Francis was the pope of the Church, why were only cardinals, bishops, priests and deacons allowed near the altar? Where were “the sheep” that Francis was concerned about and “smelt of”? Why did we not see pilgrims of hope surrounding him at the altar, not

just along the streets?

By the end of the month we may have a new pope. May he be a man of heart and vision. And may the Spirit keep the mission of God for our world firmly in the electors’ minds as they choose who he will be.

We thank all our contributors to this issue whose research, sharing, art and craft provide food for thought. See our website for the articles we could not include in this issue because of our focus on Francis.

As is our custom, our last word is of blessing and encouragement.

Tui Motu Magazine. Issue 303 May 2025: 2