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It's never really goodbye

In a few days, the Jubilee Year of Hope will close, and we’ll say another goodbye to the Pope Francis era.  


yup, some people got this close to him


Like his predecessors, Pope Francis spoke a lot about peace, hope, joy and God’s mercy.  Of particular relevance to me in the past half year, he of course continued in the tradition of writing encyclicals and other documents.

 

It was wonderful being in Fr David Garcia’s Social Ethics class for a look at the social teachings of the Church.  Everyone in the class now knows the significance of Rerum Novarum and why Pope Leo is Pope Leo!  

 

Two highlights for me – the first was summarising Veritas in Caritate (Pope Benedict XVI).  I’d only ever thought of our school motto In veritate, et caritate in broad and general terms.  Yes, truth and love are so basic and important in our faith.  Veritas in Caritate taught me how they should be applied concretely and specifically.  Second was the look at Laudato Si’, which has become my current reading at Holy Cross.  This year, I’ll get to know it better!

 

This year, we’ll also get a better look at Pope Leo.  As my friend A says, it’s nice for once to understand what the Pope is saying!

 

Back to Pope Francis, I was not much on the Singapore visit bandwagon and not on the Italy pilgrimage one but I tried to participate in my own way.  



I only got to see him at Carlo 😁


Sadly, my souvenir brolly disappeared, after not very many uses.  All I’m left with is the case…



Oh well.  May the late Holy Father pray for the person who has it now.  It might bring unexpected blessings.

 

As we go further into the Pope Leo era, I know I will continue to be amused and annoyed by the media- and pundit-led analyses of everything he does and says.  I wish they would leave our Popes to do what they’re here for – to tend the sheep, strengthen their brothers and sisters, and guide us in being the light of the world and salt of the earth. 



Happy new year!



“… the steps of our journey are the steps of the whole Church” 

~ Pope Francis




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