Emma McBride (Dobell, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of my community on the Central Coast of New South Wales, I rise to join others speaking on the condolence motion for Pope Francis and to pay my respects to a man who dedicated his life simply to humble service. Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 19 December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 1958, as a young man, he took inspiration from a priest while attending confession and began years of study at his local seminary. In 1969 he was ordained by the archbishop and joined the priesthood.

Over the years, he rose through the Catholic Church in South America before assuming the role of archbishop. True to his nature, which the world would come to know years later, Bergoglio undertook significant reforms across the archdiocese to reduce exorbitant spending, instead connecting the church with poor and disadvantaged communities. He regularly celebrated Holy Thursday by washing the feet of people in local jails, hospitals, retirement homes and slums. In 2001, Pope John Paul II made Bergoglio a cardinal.

His humble lifestyle meant he spent most of his time in South America, and, unlike many of these fellow cardinals, he would only visit Rome for short periods of time, commonly known in Catholic circles as lightning visits. In 2005, as a cardinal, Bergoglio took part in the papal conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI. At the time, he himself was considered a frontrunner for the papacy. In 2016, Benedict announced that he would resign—the first pontiff to stand down in 600 years. On 13 March 2013, the papal conclave elected Bergoglio as the Bishop of Rome, the new Pope. Stepping out onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to the celebrations of Catholics across the world, the new Pope would be known as Francis—a name he chose because, like Francis of Assisi, who he honoured, he had a special place in his heart for ministry for the poor, the disenfranchised and those facing injustice. Francis stood on the balcony in white wearing a simple iron cross he'd had for many years, substantially different to the gold worn by his predecessors. Throughout his papacy, Francis brought the Catholic Church into the 21st century, modernising it and opening it up to more believers and people of faith around the world. His ability to connect with people, understand them and offer mercy led to him being respected and revered far beyond followers of the Catholic faith. In my community on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Francis was widely respected for his simple, humble life of service and his approach, through social justice, focused on supporting disadvantaged people and protecting the planet for future generations.

Father Raul, on behalf of the Wyong Catholic Parish, said of Pope Francis: 'Remembering a man of God who touched the hearts of millions of the people around the world, a man of deep faith with a unique way of leading the Catholic Church, inspiring even non-Christians and non-believers.' Father Raul goes on: 'He was a man of humility, compassion and mercy, especially for the marginalised and those living on the periphery of society.' He continues: 'One thing that makes him so special as well is when he took the name of Francis, the only pope to do so, because, like Francis of Assisi, he was a man of the poor and he cared so much for the environment.' Lastly: 'He was a man of hope. He encourages each and everyone of us to be pilgrims of hope as he declared this year Jubilee of Hope.' He finishes: 'Who can ever forget this lovely and full life of service to God, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who, at the very last moments of his earthly life, wanted to serve God and his people.'

My parents raised my brother, sister and I on the teachings of the Catholic Church, and I attended the local Catholic primary school, St Cecilia's in Wyong, and then went on to Mater Dei College and Corpus Christi College—now St Peter's Catholic College in Tuggerah. When my mother, who is on the parish council, contacted Father Raul for some quotes for today, he was offering mass in the local high school. Now, I see my nieces and nephews growing in their faith. My niece, Arna, recently celebrated her first holy communion, and my nephew, Oscar, will have his confirmation tomorrow night. I'm disappointed that I can't be there, but he is taking on the name of John as his confirmation name.

As a Catholic, I reflect, today, on the humble life of service of Pope Francis. My godson, Gabriel, sent me today his favourite quote of Pope Francis to share with us: 'Rivers do not drink their own water. Trees do not eat their own fruit. The sun does not shine on itself, and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We're all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is, life is good when you are happy but much better when others are happy because of you.' After years of humble service as a priest, bishop, archbishop, cardinal and pope, Francis now rests in eternal life with the Lord. May he rest in everlasting peace.

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