You could have knocked me down with a feather when Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh phoned me unexpectedly towards the end of March 2022. He suggested that I sit down before he continued – and then told me that he had a personal letter from Pope Francis for me! I had no idea why, but then he explained.

A few months earlier, I had written a review in the Irish News of Pope Francis’ third encyclical entitled ‘Fratelli Tutti’ (Italian for ‘we are all brothers and sisters’), and which was subtitled “on fraternity and social friendship.’ Unknown to me, Archbishop Eamonn had sent a copy of it to the Vatican with a very generous accompanying letter, and now he had a personal reply from Pope Francis to pass on to me.

I had been very struck in the encyclical by the Pope’s lengthy and detailed exploration of the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke’s gospel (Chapter 10.25-37) under the title ‘A stranger on the road’. In it, the Pope emphasised that, in an unhealthy society that turns its back on suffering and that is “illiterate” (his word) in caring for the frail and vulnerable. We are all called – just like the Good Samaritan – to become neighbours to others, overcome prejudices, personal interests, historic and cultural barriers. We are all responsible together – right across the world – for creating a society that can include and lift up those who have fallen or are suffering.

This was a deep exploration of a timeless biblical message. It was highly relevant when Pope Francis wrote the encyclical a few years ago. How much more relevant is it now, with so much of the world at war bringing death and destruction on a vast scale; with millions displaced from their homes and homelands, and rampant hunger and distress in so many countries and regions.

And it is a timeless message for the whole world, not just the faithful in the church, but a message to all governments, all leaders, all societies, all peoples, and ordinary people like you and me here in Ireland – even those who know nothing of Christ’s teaching nor care about it.

And I was very struck again earlier this week as we became aware of the preparation Pope Francis had made for his death and burial. In his funeral arrangements, his love for the least amongst us was shown yet again in his choice of burial ground. But of even more significance was his spelling out of his clear conviction that death is not the end. ‘I ask that my mortal remains rest – awaiting the day of the Resurrection – in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.’  He gave instructions in his will that: “The tomb must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus.”

Our society does not deal with dying and death at all well – even though we have the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ recounted to us every Easter. Many leaders want to leave a legacy of fame or achievement, and they often seek to do that using power, tribal loyalties or even by deceit and scheming. And they want to be praised day in and day out for what they have done or are doing. Not so with Pope Francis. Humble in spirit; humble in life and humble in facing his death, with eternal hope. This is surely a better way to live and die.

I never met Pope Francis, yet I feel that I do know quite a lot about him, not only from that Encyclical, but from the graciousness of his letter to me, so unexpected and so humbling. He exemplified godly humility alongside a vast vision for a more Christ honouring world. May there be more Christian leaders like him, to influence not only the church, but leaders of every kind and in every part of the world. Without this, we will sink into ever more evil and lostness. And I say that both as an optimist in temperament, and a firm believer in Christ as… our only hope… in life and in death.

Please note that the statements and views expressed in this article of those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Contemporary Christianity.