What will Pope Francis’ Successor be Like? – Apr 23 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Apr 23, 2025, where he reflects on recent Popes as seasonal figures, likening Pope Francis to winter and anticipating a springtime revival under the next Pope.

Father delivers a moving homily reflecting on the legacies of recent Popes, framing them as seasonal figures embodying distinct spiritual qualities. He recalls Pope St. John Paul II as a summer Pope, whose warmth and global travels illuminated the Church, helping dismantle communism and fostering spiritual light after decades of darkness. Pope Benedict XVI, an autumn Pope, brought scholarly depth and revived the liturgy’s beauty, echoing the glory of fall’s changing leaves. Father characterizes Pope Francis as a winter Pope, marked by humility and mercy, virtues not always appreciated, as taught in Catechism of the Catholic Church in paragraph 1829 (CCC 1829). His introspective leadership, rooted in psychology, faced harsh criticism, revealing hearts’ hidden bitterness, much like Simeon’s prophecy about Christ in Luke 2: 34-35. This sign of contradiction pierced Our Lady’s heart, reflecting her sorrow (CCC 964). Despite a decline in vocations, Father sees Pope Francis’s humility as a quiet strength. Looking ahead, he envisions the next Pope as a springtime leader, ushering in renewal, new vocations, and a spiritual revival, inspired by the recent Eucharistic Congress and guided by the Holy Spirit (CCC 688). Father urges prayers to Our Lady for faith, hope, and charity (CCC 1817-1821), trusting in God’s plan for a season of grace, echoing the call to new life in John 10: 10.

For further reading:

Luke 2: 34-35 - NAB - Simeon’s Prophecy About Jesus - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/2?34
John 10: 10 - NAB - Jesus Promises Abundant Life - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/10?10
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1829 - Charity and Mercy - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1829.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #964 - Mary’s Role in Salvation - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/964.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #688 - Holy Spirit’s Presence - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/688.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1817 - Theological Virtues: Hope - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a7.htm#1817
Catholic Answers - Understanding Papal Infallibility - https://www.catholic.com/tract/papal-infallibility
Vatican - Biography of Pope Francis - https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/biography.html
USCCB - Eucharistic Revival Initiative - https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/
Franciscan Media - St. John Paul II - https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-john-paul-ii

00:00 – Introduction and Pope Francis
00:44 – John Paul II: Summer Pope
01:54 – Benedict XVI: Autumn Pope
02:48 – Benedict’s Liturgical Contributions
03:12 – Pope Francis: Winter Pope
04:00 – Francis’s Humility and Challenges
05:36 – Next Pope: Springtime Renewal
06:23 – Spiritual Revival and Prayer

Ave Maria!

Mass: Wednesday of Easter Week - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/042325.cfm
1st: act 3:1-10
Resp: psa 105:1-4, 6-9
Gsp: luk 24:13-35

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1692

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