✝️ A Shepherd to the End: Fr. Rocky on Pope Francis, the Church, and What Comes Next (The Drew Mariani Show)

📻 Setting the Scene   Father shares a moving tribute to Pope Francis, following the Pope’s sudden passing a day after joyfully appearing at Easter Mass.     🙏 A Pope Who Gave It All   Fr. Rocky starts by describing how Pope Francis was “squeezed out like a lemon to the last drop.” His final public moments, blessing the world on Easter Sunday from the popemobile show a man completely spent in service to others. Doctors later confirmed a stroke and cardiac arrest.   "What a great example for all of us... hanging in there until he could do no more."     Fr. Rocky offered Mass for Pope Francis early that morning, alongside countless others around the world, as the Church is going through the traditional nine days of mourning (Novemdiales).     Looking Back: The Pope from Argentina   Fr. Rocky reflects on that unexpected moment in 2013 when Jorge Mario Bergoglio was introduced as Pope Francis: the first Latin American, the first Jesuit, and the first-ever Francis.   Father said: “Whoever he is, we’re going to love him, pray for him, and obey him.”   His choice of the name Francis pointed to humility, simplicity, and a commitment to the poor.   He skipped the lavish papal apartments for a modest suite at Casa Sanctae Marthae.   He emphasized servant leadership... and sometimes stirred things up with his famous line: “Hagan lío!” ("Make a mess!" or “stir things up”).     A Shepherd’s Heart   Fr. Rockys recall how Pope Francis, from day one, was warm and joyfully present to the people. His first public words were a simple “Good evening,” followed by the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.    Pope Francis had a heart for St. Joseph, promoted Marian devotion, and had a lasting legacy: consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and canonizing the Fatima visionaries, Francisco and Jacinta.     Fr. Rocky mentions Our Holy Father's   -Strong, unapologetic stance on life: He was not afraid to defend the unborn.   -Love for Our Lady: His favorite church was Santa Maria Maggiore, where he prayed before every trip and wished to be buried.   -Personal additions to the Church’s litany of saints: including new titles for both St. Joseph and the Litany to Our Lady of Loreto   -And let’s not forget his legacy of global outreach: he traveled far and wide, continuing the mission of “leaving the Vatican to go out to the world,” just as St. John Paul II did.     🌍 The Church Moving Forward   So, what’s next?   Fr. Rocky sees signs of revival: packed churches, overflowing Easter Vigils, and young people flocking to Christ. He wonders: are we seeing the Relevant Radio effect? The National Eucharistic Revival? And maybe Catholics getting savvy with media and evangelization.   “People are looking for something real... and they’re finding it in the Catholic Church.”   As we await the conclave, Fr. Rocky urges the faithful to pray for wisdom, for unity, and for a new pope in tune with the Holy Spirit and the heart of Jesus Christ.     The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.