NEW YORK. Over the course of several years in the 1840s, Charles Dickens, already renowned for his novels, penned a different kind of text. Entitled “The Life of Our Lord,” his version of the Gospel story was intended for a small and exclusive audience: the nine of his 10 children who survived infancy.

I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Pope Francis on the morning of April 21. He was the vicar of Christ on earth for 12 years and challenged us in many ways, especially to be joyful witnesses of the Gospel and calling the Church to go out to the peripheries to bring the mercy and love of Christ to those who need it the most. 

Me entristeció mucho escuchar el fallecimiento del Papa Francisco en la mañana del 21 de abril. Fue Vicario de Cristo en la tierra durante doce años y nos desafió de muchas maneras, especialmente a ser testigos gozosos del Evangelio y llamar a la Iglesia a salir a las periferias para llevar la misericordia y el amor de Cristo a quienes más lo necesitan.