The Pope of Mercy, Mission, and Mother Mary (Morning Air)

This conversation between John Morales and Bishop Donald Hying is a reminder of the incredible impact Pope Francis left in the Church.   How did our late Holy Father make a difference in your life?     ✝️ The Big Three: Pope Francis' Legacy   Bishop Hying mentioned three powerful themes that, in his view, define Pope Francis’ enduring legacy:   1.🔥 Evangelization on Fire:   Pope Francis wasn’t just talking about evangelization; he lived it. His call to "missionary discipleship" in The Joy of the Gospel inspired Catholics across the globe.   He followed in the footsteps of JPII and Benedict XVI, bringing new energy to the Church’s mission, and guess what? It's working. Conversions are up! 👏   2. A Relentless Cry for Peace:   From Ukraine to Gaza to Africa, Pope Francis was the global voice of conscience, always calling for peace.   Bishop Hying remembered when Pope Francis consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary: a moment of deep prayer and unity felt around the world.    3. ❤️ Love for the Poor:   Maybe most of all, Francis lived out a radical solidarity with the marginalized, always urging us to “go to the margins.”   His ministry echoed St. Mother Teresa: tender, present, and laser-focused on the forgotten and the unseen.     💬 Personal Moments with Papa Francisco   Bishop Hying shared that he met Pope Francis four times (yes, four! 🙌). Most memorably, they had a five-minute Spanish conversation during a December 12th ad limina visit.   His impressions:   -So down-to-earth   -Funny, even a bit self-deprecating   -Fully present when speaking with you   He described Francis as a “very human pope”: approachable, warm, and fully engaged.     🙏 A Pope of Devotion   Francis was deeply devotional. Bishop Hying noted his love for:   -The Sacred Heart   -Divine Mercy   -Popular devotions that connect the faithful to the Lord     Mercy, Mercy, Mercy   St. JPII gave us Divine Mercy Sunday, and Pope Francis made mercy the anthem of his Papacy. The Year of Mercy, those traveling confessors, and his own public confessions were bold reminders that God’s mercy is for everyone.   Bishop Hying said confession is making a comeback in his diocese, and he credits a lot of that to Pope Francis' example. 🙌     It’s beautifully fitting that Pope Francis was laid to rest at St. Mary Major, where he always prayed before and after papal trips. He was a man so in love with Our Blessed Mother. 💙     🔥 Final Thoughts & A Call to Prayer   With the conclave set for May 7, Bishop Hying invited us to pray for the Church as we await our next shepherd.