Pope Francis, 1936-2025: We thank God for a wonderful supporter of CHARIS and Catholic Charismatic Renewal

Pope Francis has been praised for his "generous dedication and testimony" after he died at the age of 88 on April 21, 2025.

The Pope died on Easter Monday at 7.35am at his home in Casa Santa Marta at the Vatican, Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced.

"At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church," Cardinal Farrell said.

"He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God."

Pope Francis made a significant impact on Catholic Charismatic Renewal and inaugurated CHARIS, the new and unique service of communion meant to assist all the charismatic groups that the Spirit has raised up in the world. Pope Francis called the Renewal the "current of grace", which was a fruit of the Second Vatican Council.

When CHARIS was inaugurated in 2019, he said: "Today one thing ends and another begins. A new stage of this journey is beginning. A stage marked by communion between all the members of the charismatic family, in which the mighty presence of the Holy Spirit is manifested for the good of the entire Church. A presence that makes each one equal, since each has been born of the same Spirit: great and small, old and young, engaged on the worldwide or local levels, all form a whole that is always greater than the part."

Reflecting on his impact, CHARIS Moderator Pino Scafuro paid tribute to Pope Francis as a "prophet of God’s Mercy."

"With his last breath, he concludes the mission God entrusted to him and to which he gave his life," Pino said.

"The world has witnessed his passion for proclaiming God’s mercy and tenderness. For his insistence on proclaiming the Gospel and practising the values Jesus teaches us.

He did not seek to settle into comfort, but rather into simplicity and to face the necessary issues, even if they were uncomfortable, as the demands of the Gospel often are.

He opened countless new ‘holy doors,’ not only those made of wood and iron each Holy Year, but also those of the heart of Mother Church, to go out and welcome everyone, everyone, everyone."

Pino pointed to the "privilege" of working closely with Pope Francis through CHARIS.

"In the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, we had the privilege of having him very close to us, always," he said.

"His letters and audiences deeply interpret what we understand as the mission of the movement, since that grace of the Holy Spirit burst onto the world 58 years ago.

His wise recommendations arise, in part, from his own experience with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal since his time as auxiliary bishop and then through his bond with different international communities and organisational realities, as pontiff."

"Interpreting the signs of the times well, he understood the reality of the Church needs the power of the Holy Spirit and all its creativity to overcome its current challenges, and that the Catholic Charismatic Renewal can be of great help for a renewed openness to the Spirit."

Pino referred to the letter which Pope Francis wrote for the CCR Jubilee encounter in Rome on April 3, saying: "In his last letter sent to us at the beginning of this month, he reminded us: The Holy Spirit, gift of the risen Lord, creates communion, harmony and fraternity. This is the Church: a new humanity reconciled.

"Thus, of its own free will, CHARIS was established. The international service for the entire stream of grace that is the Catholic Charismatic Renewal."

CHARIS International, the organisation founded by Pope Francis, responded to the news of his passing "with deep sadness", paying tribute to his "generous" contribution in a statement which said: "It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Pope Francis. In CHARIS International, we join in prayer with the whole Church and the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Thank you, Pope Francis, for all your generous dedication and testimony."

"May our Holy Father Pope Francis reap his eternal reward and may he hear the words: ‘well done good and faithful servant."

CHARIS International called on Pope Francis to pray for Catholic Charismatic Renewal. The Service said: "Pope Francis, intercede from heaven for the Church and the Current of Grace."

Abhy Thomas, Coordinator of the CNSC, responded to the news by offering the following prayer: Loving Father, embrace the soul of Pope Francis, who spent his life serving you and guiding us your flock closer to your heart. Hold us, your Church, close in this time, and send us a shepherd after your own heart to lead us in your light. Amen

Picture: CHARIS International