Daily Meditation for May 7, 2025

Pope Francis began writing his Hope autobiography in 2019 and originally planned for it to be published after his death. But with the “Jubilee Year of Hope,” and with tumult the world over, he was moved to release the book earlier this year. In our sadness over the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, his own words are consolation and challenge. Pope Francis poignantly writes in the final chapter of his autobiography, “The Church will go on, I am just one step in its history.” He calls us to step forward and be part of a “revolution in tenderness.” While we may think of tenderness as weak and cowardly, Pope Francis shares a more Christlike vision: “Tenderness is not weakness: It is a true force. It is the road that the strongest and bravest men and women have taken.” Can we imagine a world in which tenderness rules? Are we strong enough and brave enough to be tender with ourselves, with others, with all God’s creation? Pope Francis, pray for us.

By Mary Stommes, OblSB