(OSV News) -- Canada's Catholic bishops are remembering Pope Francis as one who "desired the Church to be close to the people."
The 88-year-old pope, who died April 21 at 7:35 a.m. in Rome, "challenged us to become missionary disciples of faith, hope and love and announce the joy of the Gospel to the world," said Bishop William T. McGrattan of Calgary, Alberta, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, in a statement issued shortly after the pope's passing.
Bishop McGrattan reflected that Pope Francis' "frequent consoling image of the Church as 'a field hospital' brought us a message of hope, peace, compassion and mercy," with "trust in God's infinite mercy" as "the guiding vision throughout Francis' papacy."
"Pope Francis yearned for the Church's message of mercy to be ever present among marginalized people, those on the existential and geographical peripheries of society," said Bishop McGrattan. "He was a tireless advocate for the poor, migrants, the disabled, the elderly, and those struggling to find their place within the Church."
The bishop noted that for Canadians, Pope Francis' five-day apostolic journey to their nation in 2022 marked "a defining moment," with the pope formally apologizing to Indigenous peoples "for the abuse, cultural destruction, and forced assimilation associated with the former Indian Residential Schools."
The visit, which Pope Francis had described as a "penitential pilgrimage," had spanned some 3,500 miles across Canada "with events in Edmonton, Quebec City, and Iqaluit," said Bishop McGrattan. "It reflected his respect for Indigenous Peoples, and the Church's commitment to continue walking together on the path of truth, justice, healing, reconciliation, and hope."
The bishop also pointed Pope Francis' numerous other apostolic journeys, which totaled over 40, along with his encyclicals and exhortations on contemporary themes such as evangelization in modern society ("Evangelii Gaudium"), love within marriage ("Amoris Laetitia"), environmental stewardship ("Laudato Si'"), human fraternity ("Fratelli Tutti"), as well as young people and vocational discernment ("Christus Vivit").
The late pope "advanced the Church's ongoing commitment to address sexual abuse, in meeting with victims around the world in order to promote both justice and healing in their lives," said Bishop McGrattan.
The bishop also highlighted Pope Francis' efforts to "improve accountability and transparency in the management of the Vatican's finances," restructure the Roman Curia "around the priority of evangelization," and promote "a more participatory, synodal Church."
"To promote greater communion, participation and mission in the life of the Church. Francis began by renewing the process and outcome of synods, involving mutual listening and dialogue in which everyone has something to learn," Bishop McGrattan said. "He often stated that to be synodal is the conversion that God expects of the Church in the 21st century."
"We received a lot from him. We received so much from him," said Archbishop Christian Lépine of Montreal in a video message posted to that archdiocese's Facebook page.
Archbishop Lépine said he was deeply marked by the pope's call "to build a world of encounter, a civilization of encounter."
Pope Francis invited others "to view the difference" between persons "as a blessing for our own lives," said Archbishop Lépine.
Archbishop J. Michael Miller, the outgoing apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Vancouver, British Columbia, described the late pope as "a tireless shepherd of the Church, a beacon of hope, and a champion of the Gospel.
"His deep love for the poor, unwavering commitment to peace, and bold witness to Christ's message of love and reconciliation have inspired millions of people everywhere," said Archbishop Miller in an April 21 statement. "Leading with humility, he called us to a renewed closeness to Jesus and a missionary spirit that reaches to the peripheries."
The Archdiocese of St. John's, Newfoundland, noted that Pope Francis "led the Church with love, devotion, humour and courage." Its statement added that "while we mourn his passing, we also thank God for the gift of his leadership these past twelve years and pray that he will receive the eternal reward promised to all those who serve the Lord faithfully."
Archbishop Lépine also noted that "Pope Francis' message of the value of encounter, the value of togetherness, so that we can enrich our life and enrich our peace, is so important today." He added, "Let us be together in solidarity and sadness and in the building of peace and building a civilization of encounter."
