Archbishop Mykola Bychok about Pope Francis: He was a man of simple piety

Cardinal Mykola Bychok of Melbourne wrote about this on his Facebook page.

"He was a man of simple piety who strove to bring the church closer to people. He gave freely of his gifts and had a unique personal approach to all he met. He lived according to his motto, Miserando atque Eligendo ("Lowly but chosen”)," Cardinal Bychok noted.

According to the cardinal, Pope Francis was a pope of peace.

"In a world devastated by war, he called for peace and justice. I am grateful for the late Holy Father's frequent appeals for a just peace in Ukraine and for the efforts of the Holy See that he oversaw, known and secret, that in some way helped bring relief to the imprisoned and suffering.

The Holy Father was a strong defender of life and the dignity of every person. He worked for the healing of divisions between East and West and for a greater understanding of other faiths, building on that which we have in common rather than our differences.

Building on the work of his illustrious predecessor, Benedict XVI of blessed memory, Pope Francis apologised to survivors of abuse and set in place simpler procedures to deal with perpetrators. He began to implement a culture of safeguarding for the most vulnerable. Work that must continue into the future.

I ask all Catholics and people of good will to pray for the eternal repose of the late Holy Father, giving thanks for his life and the gifts that he freely shared," said the hierarch.

Bishop Mykola Bychok of Melbourne also called for prayer "for prayers for the Cardinal Electors that will be meeting in Conclave, that the Holy Spirit may enlighten our hearts and minds that we may choose a worthy candidate as the 267th Bishop of Rome and Successor of Saint Peter."