Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak on the formal condolence motion for Pope Francis, a remarkable individual who has left an indelible mark on the world through his unwavering compassion and dedication to serve all.

Pope Francis, as other speakers have spoken about, was born in Argentina to an Italian immigrant family. He was raised in a very modest household. He learned the values of humility and service from a very young age. He attended a technical secondary school and trained as a chemical technician before discerning his call to the priesthood. Entering the Society of Jesuits in 1958, he embraced a life of discipline, intellectual pursuit and spiritual devotion. For those of us who had the good fortune of going to a Catholic school and being raised by nuns, I think those traits that you learn from a very early age about humility, service and being compassionate help you through your entire life. But he didn't just do it before he became Pope. Pope Francis embodied the essence of humility, always prioritising the needs of the marginalised and impoverished. His commitment to living a very simple life of virtue was evident in every action that he took, and his example continues to inspire millions of Catholics and non-Catholics, which I think is important. Non-Catholics were also inspired by his teachings and his example.

One of the most significant aspects of Pope Francis's papacy was his transformative approach to inclusivity and forgiveness. He tirelessly worked to ensure that the church was a welcoming place for all, regardless of your background and circumstances. He believed that every person was a child of God, deserving of love, respect and compassion. His legacy is a proud one. His efforts to promote inclusivity and reshape the papacy left a lasting legacy of acceptance and understanding. His unwavering belief in forgiveness and compassion set him apart as a true beacon of hope in a world often plagued by division and conflict. He consistently advocated for reconciliation and healing, urging individuals and communities to embrace forgiveness as a path to peace. His teaching on compassion resonated deeply with people from all walks of life, encouraging them to extend kindness and empathy to others. In fact, kindness has been very much a part of today and the Governor-General's address and what she has brought to her position, and that's the role of leaders.

Throughout his life, Pope Francis demonstrated an unshakeable conviction in his beliefs. He fiercely advocated for social justice. He championed the rights of the vulnerable and called for global solidarity in the face of adversity. His unwavering dedication to his principles earned him the respect and admiration of countless individuals worldwide. He was, in fact, the Pope of the people. As we reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis, let us remember the profound impact he had on the world, his commitment to living a life of virtue and his transformative approach to inclusivity and forgiveness, which he demonstrated when he became Pope by keeping those same virtues and values. Forgiveness, as I said, was one of his hallmarks that he talked about often. His passion and conviction have left a mark not just on Catholics around the world but on humanity.

Senator Farrell addressed some of the challenges that he faced, whether it was in the Vatican or whether it was child sexual abuse. He actually attempted to address so much of that that had been overshadowing the Catholic Church worldwide. The work that he did in helping to modernise our church actually encouraged me to have hope and compassion and to be forgiving of those who brought that shadow over our church.

In closing, I extend my deepest condolences to all those who mourn the loss of Pope Francis. May his teachings and example continue to guide us in our pursuit of a more compassionate, kind world where we can live in peace together. To Catholics like myself who struggled with their faith, due particularly to the child sexual abuse behaviour, he gave hope. I have a great deal of faith in Pope Leo XIV. He will continue to reform the church. He will continue to show compassion and forgiveness. He will be the leader that the bishops chose to lead the church forward. Rest in peace, Pope Francis. Thank you for all that you did for those Catholics like myself who have been struggling, to give us hope and to give us the ability to forgive and be compassionate.