Over two months before his death, Pope Francis penned a moving reflection on death, expressing it is not the end.
Pope Francis, who recently passed away at the age of 88, shared deep thoughts about old age and death just two months before his death.
His reflections were published by the Vatican following his passing, showing his wisdom and perspective on life.
The Vatican shared Pope Francis’ preface today.
On April 22, the day after his death, the Vatican released a preface that Pope Francis had written for an upcoming book by Cardinal Angelo Scola.
This book, titled “Awaiting a New Beginning: Reflections on Old Age”, includes Francis’ insights from February 7, shortly before his hospitalization.
In his writing, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of accepting old age.
He praised Cardinal Scola for reclaiming the term “old,” encouraging people not to fear it.
He believed that aging should be embraced as a natural part of life.
Embracing old age with gratitude
Pope Francis wrote, “We must not be afraid of old age.” He encouraged everyone to accept becoming older without shame.
According to him, life is precious, and avoiding the truth about aging only leads to misunderstanding.
He also shared that calling someone “old” does not mean they are worthless. Instead, it signifies experience, wisdom, and knowledge.
He pointed out that a degraded culture often leads people to view aging negatively, but it should be seen as a time of growth and reflection.
“Yes, we must not be afraid of old age, we must not fear embracing becoming old, because life is life, and sugarcoating reality means betraying the truth of things,” Francis wrote.
“Restoring pride to a term too often considered unhealthy is a gesture for which we should be grateful to Cardinal Scola.”
“Because to say ‘old’ does not mean ‘to be discarded,’ as a degraded culture of waste sometimes leads us to think,” Francis continues.
“Saying ‘old’ instead means saying experience, wisdom, knowledge, discernment, thoughtfulness, listening, slowness.”
Aging is a time for reflection
The pope explained that aging can be an opportunity for grace.
“It is true, one becomes old, but this is not the problem: the problem is how one becomes old.
If we live this time of life as a grace, and not with resentment; if we accept the time (even a long one) in which we experience diminished strength, the increasing fatigue of the body, the reflexes no longer what they were in our youth — with a sense of gratitude and thankfulness — well then,
old age too becomes an age of life which…is truly fruitful and capable of radiating goodness,” he added.
He believed that viewing aging as a blessing rather than a burden can lead to a more fulfilling life.
His thoughtful words encourage us to find meaning in every stage of life.
In his preface, Pope Francis described Cardinal Scola’s writings as a “heartfelt confession.”
He mentioned that Scola was preparing for his own “final encounter with Jesus.”
This reflects the deep faith and introspection that both men shared.
Pope Francis also offered a comforting message about death.
He stated that death is not the end, but rather the beginning of something new.
He aimed to reassure readers that there is hope beyond this life.
The pope wrote, “Death is not the end of everything, but the beginning of something.”
He emphasized that eternal life starts even while we are on earth. In his view, daily life is a glimpse of what is to come.
“It is a new beginning, as the title wisely highlights, because eternal life, which those who love already begin to experience on earth within the daily tasks of life — is beginning something that will never end,” Francis added.
“And it is precisely for this reason that it is a ‘new” beginning, because we will live something we have never fully lived before: eternity,” he continued.
The Vatican announced Pope Francis’ funeral plan
Following his death, the Vatican announced the details of Pope Francis’ funeral.
It is set to take place on Saturday, April 26, in St. Peter’s Square.
The service will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals.
After the funeral, Pope Francis’ body will be taken to St. Peter’s Basilica.
It will then be transferred to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, which was his favorite church in Rome, for burial.
These arrangements reflect the respect and love the Church has for its leaders.