In Memoriam
Pope Francis
1936-2025

Pictured left: Pope Francis receives a Star Blanket, a gift from parishioners at Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples, Edmonton, July 2022.

With deep gratitude and sorrow, we learned of the death of Pope Francis, earlier today.

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis called the Church to walk humbly with those who suffer, to be a church of the poor, and for the poor, and to make mercy of Jesus Christ, the heart of all we do. We in OMI Lacombe Canada are especially grateful for his profound commitment to justice, reconciliation, and healing, especially with Indigenous Peoples.

We remember in a particular way, his July 2022 penitential pilgrimage to Canada, where at Maskwacis, Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples, and Lac Ste Anne, he met with survivors of residential schools, and their families. In listening deeply and apologizing sincerely, Pope Francis modeled the path of honesty, humility, and hope to which we are all called.

May his memory be a blessing, and may his witness inspire us to continue walking the path of reconciliation and healing in our relationships with Indigenous Peoples, and in all we do, with courage, compassion, and faith.

Ken Thorson, OMI
OMI Lacombe Canada
April 21, 2025