Bishop Brian Mascord on the passing of Pope Francis
April 21, 2025
Bishop Brian Mascord
It is with deep sadness and profound gratitude that we in the Diocese of Wollongong mourn the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. Today, we join with Catholics across the globe in prayer and reflection, giving thanks for the extraordinary life and ministry of a man who touched the hearts of millions and whose papacy will be remembered for its compassion, humility, and unwavering commitment to the Gospel.
Pope Francis led the Church with a gentle strength, reminding us constantly of God’s love for the poor and marginalised. His tireless advocacy for justice, peace, and care for creation resonated far beyond the boundaries of our Church, inspiring people of all faiths and backgrounds to work together for a more just and sustainable world. He challenged us to see the face of Christ in everyone we meet, especially those on the peripheries of society, and he lived this challenge with remarkable authenticity.
Pope Francis’ focus on the kerygma—the simple yet powerful Gospel message—has been a particular inspiration for the Diocese of Wollongong. His words and example have encouraged us to renew our commitment to evangelisation. This is reflected in our “Come and See, Go and Make” vision for parishes, which invites all people to encounter Jesus, be transformed, and become disciples themselves.
We remember Pope Francis not only as a spiritual leader, but also as a pastor who genuinely cared for his flock. His warmth, his sense of humor, and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life made him a beloved figure around the world.
As we grieve the loss of our Holy Father, we also look forward with hope and faith. We pray for the repose of his soul and ask God to grant him eternal rest. We also pray for the College of Cardinals as they prepare to elect his successor, that the Holy Spirit guide them in choosing a new leader for our Church who will continue to build upon the foundation laid by Pope Francis and those who came before him.
In this time of mourning, let us unite in prayer and support for one another. As bearers of Christ’s love, may we carry forward the legacy of Pope Francis by living out the Gospel with the same love, compassion, and courage that he exemplified.
May we be the joy of the Gospel.
Most Rev Brian G Mascord DD
Bishop of Wollongong
21 April 2025
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The Catholic Development Fund, Diocese of Wollongong (the Fund) is required by law to make the following disclosure: The Fund is not prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority nor has it been examined or approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. An investor in the Fund will not receive the benefit of the financial claims scheme or the depositor protection provisions in the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). Investments in the Fund are intended to be a means for investors to support the charitable, religious and education works of the Diocese of Wollongong and for whom the consideration of profit are not of primary relevance in the investment decision. The investments that the Fund offers are not subject to the usual protections for investors under the Corporations Act (Cth) or regulation by Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Investors may be unable to get some or all of their money back when the investor expects or at all and any investment of the Fund are not comparable to investments with banks, finance companies or fund managers. The Fund’s identification statement may be viewed at www.cdfwollongong.org.au or by contacting the Fund. The Fund does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.
Our diocesan logo is theologically rich and very succinct. As a hand, it depicts our mission as a diocese and as individuals within the diocese, of bearing (bringing, carrying) Christ’s love to one another and to the world around us. In this, we are the hand of Jesus Christ, and we are offering ourselves to him so that he might work through us.
We can be the bearers of his love only as a response to his call and in the strength of his grace. We are reminded of this in two ways—through the symbol of the dove (the Holy Spirit) also present in the logo, and by the incorporation of the cross that segments the logo. The presence of the cross is a reminder that bearing the love of Christ will inevitably cost us if we live it authentically. However, in the way that the Cross is the portent of redemption and life—an echo of the tree of life in the book of Genesis—so becoming bearers of the love of Christ will also bring us to life.
The four fingers of the hand also represent the four regions of our diocese. The first is bluerepresenting the beautiful water of the Shoalhaven. The second is a blue and green combination representing the waters and escarpment of the Illawarra. The third is greendepicting the hills and plains of the Macarthur. The fourth is dark green illustrating the forests of the Southern Highlands.
It is with deep sadness and profound gratitude that we in the Diocese of Wollongong mourn the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. Today, we join with Catholics across the globe in prayer and reflection, giving thanks for the extraordinary life and ministry of a man who touched the hearts of millions and whose papacy will be remembered for its compassion, humility, and unwavering commitment to the Gospel.
