Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I move:

That the Senate records its sadness at the death, on 21 April 2025, of His Holiness Pope Francis, formerly Cardinal Jorje Mario Bergoglio, places on record its gratitude for his life of service, compassion and leadership, and tenders its sympathy to Australian Catholics and people of all faiths who mourn his passing.

Many were surprised when Pope Francis chose a papal name that no pontiff had chosen before. He chose to be named after St Francis of Assisi. As he told the waiting crowd, he wished to follow in the footsteps of 'the man of poverty, the man of peace and the man who loves and protects creation'—and so he did.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 17 December 1936, he was one of five children born to Italian immigrants. In his early years he worked as a janitor and studied to be a chemical technician, yet he soon found his true calling in the priesthood. Bergoglio joined the Jesuit order in 1958 and was ordained in 1969. When Argentina fell under military rule in 1976, he was forced to navigate the fraught intersection between faith and politics. The kidnapping and torture of two Jesuit priests during this time would leave an indelible mark on him.

In 1998 Bergoglio became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires and, in 2001, a cardinal. Amid Argentina's deep economic crisis in the early 2000s, Bergoglio lived simply, travelled by public transport and became known as the 'bishop of the slums' for his visits to the misfortunate. True to the spirit of his namesake, he embodied humility and solidarity with the poor.

When Bergoglio was elected the 266th pope in 2013, he made history as the first non-European pope in 1,200 years, the first Latin American pope and the first Jesuit pontiff. His papacy signalled a new direction for the Catholic Church, one focused on compassion, reform and inclusion.

Pope Francis inherited a Vatican in crisis, facing urgent questions about the role of women, sexuality, historic sexual abuse and financial scandals. He moved quickly to expand the role of women in the church, conferring the ministries of catechist, lector and acolyte upon women.

Pope Francis's words and example encouraged priests and the faithful to welcome all with open hearts. He confronted the church's past failings on sexual abuse, meeting victims personally and revising church law to hold those who covered up abuse accountable.

True to his Franciscan humility, he chose the Vatican guesthouse over the grand papal apartments and preferred a simple Ford Focus to the papal limousine. Pope Francis called for a 'poor church for the poor' and urged the clergy to be 'shepherds with the smell of their sheep'. Although his reforms were not without critics, his love for humanity and determination to leave the world a kinder, more just place were never in question. Pope Francis was indeed the people's pope.

It was the honour of my life to stand with my wife, among more than 200,000 mourners at St Peter's Basilica, together with the Governor-General and former deputy prime minister McCormack, as Australia's representatives to farewell Pope Francis. We had arrived in Rome just in time to sign the condolence book, on behalf of the Australian people, at the apostolic nunciature. We also witnessed the open coffin and touched the closed casket just before it was taken out for the funeral. Before our return to Australia, we visited the Pope's grave at the Basilica of St Mary Major and were among the first foreign delegates to pray at the grave.

I'm deeply grateful to have been raised in the Catholic tradition, and I mourn Pope Francis's passing alongside the entire Catholic community. I will remain forever in Pope Francis's debt for guiding the church through these challenging times with courage and compassion. May he rest in peace.

I wish His Holiness Pope Leo XIV—I have a grandson, now, called Leo—well in fulfilling the highest missions entrusted to anyone. May God bless them both.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise on behalf of the opposition to pay tribute to Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936. Pope Francis created several firsts when he was chosen to lead the Catholic Church in 2013. He was the first Jesuit pope, the first Latin American and the first born or raised outside of Europe since the 8th century Syrian Pope Gregory III.

Pope Francis was born in Flores, a neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, in Argentina. He was the eldest of five children of Mario Jose Bergoglio and Regina Maria Sevori. His father was an Italian immigrant and an accountant from Piedmont. His mother was born in Buenos Aires to a family of northern Italian origin. Pope Francis was schooled in Buenos Aires, eventually attending a technical secondary college and graduating with a chemical technician's diploma. In the 1950s, after completing the diploma, he spent several years in the Argentinian capital working in a laboratory run by a company specialising in food hygiene analysis. He also spent time working as a bouncer and a janitor. At the age of 21, he contracted pneumonia and three cysts and had to have part of a lung excised. The illness prompted him to reflect on his life and vocation, but his decision to enter the Jesuit order in 1958 was a culmination of a longer spiritual journey and a growing attraction to the priesthood.

Throughout his early ministry, Jorge Mario Bergoglio embraced the Jesuit tradition of humility, intellectual rigour, service and devotion to the marginalised. These values became the hallmarks of his future leadership. His experiences were shaped by Argentina's social and political upheavals, and his pastoral work during this time instilled in him a profound empathy for those living in poverty and on the edges of society.

Ordained a priest in 1969, he rose to prominence within the Jesuit community, serving as provincial superior for Argentina and later as archbishop for Buenos Aires. His leadership style was marked by an unwavering focus on simplicity, humility and service to the poor. He eschewed the trappings of office, choosing instead to live in modest accommodation, ride public transport and personally tend to his parishioners' needs. These qualities defined his papacy from its very beginning.

On the evening of 13 March 2013, when he stepped onto the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, following the surprise resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, it was not as a figure of worldly authority but as the humble servant of God's people. His first words were simple: 'Fratelli e sorelle, buonasera'—'Brothers and sisters, good evening.' In that one sentence, he set the tone for a papacy that would be characterised not by grandeur but by pastoral care, humility and approachability.

Pope Francis's ministry was marked by an unwavering commitment to mercy, compassion and justice. His choice of papal name—which, as a Catholic, I fundamentally appreciated—'Francis', was itself significant: a clear tribute to St Francis of Assisi, renowned for his devotion to the poor and his humility. It was a name that reflected the priorities of his pontificate.

Throughout his tenure as the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis consistently championed the rights of the most vulnerable. He called on people of all nations and of all faiths to uphold human dignity, to care for the elderly, the poor, refugees and migrants and to reach out to those on the peripheries of society spiritually, socially and economically. His emphasis on inclusion, mercy and understanding shaped his engagements not only within the church but with leaders of other faiths and with the broader international community.

One of the most significant contributions of Pope Francis was his focus on pastoral care. He encouraged the church to look outward, to meet people where they were and to bring Christ's compassion to bear on the struggles of ordinary life. His words were clear: the church must be a 'field hospital after battle', tending to wounds rather than lecturing on rules. His actions reflected these principles. Pope Francis visited prisoners, the sick, the disabled and the poor. He washed the feet of refugees and prisoners, embraced those suffering from disfigurement and stood alongside those enduring hardship. These were not mere gestures; they were a powerful affirmation of the gospel's call to love without condition.

Pope Francis also worked to bring healing to the church itself. He recognised the deep wounds caused by the tragedy of clergy sexual abuse. Though much work remains, he took significant steps to improve accountability, transparency and the processes for safeguarding the vulnerable. He acknowledged the failures of the church openly and insisted upon the need for repentance, reform and renewal. He repeatedly warned against clericalism, calling on bishops and priests to embrace service over status. In the realm of interfaith relations, Pope Francis built bridges. He sought friendship with the Jewish community, with the Orthodox churches and with leaders across the religious spectrum, recognising the shared responsibility to work for peace and human dignity. Throughout his papacy, he retained his deep pastoral instincts—those of a parish priest concerned above all with the wellbeing of his people. Even as he bore the title of Pope, he continued to live simply, in the Casa di Santa Marta guesthouse rather than in the opulent papal apartments. He travelled light, spoke plainly and retained a humility that had marked his life in Buenos Aires.

Pope Francis's influence was also strongly felt here in Australia. He inspired Australian Catholics, many of whom served faithfully in parishes, schools, hospitals and charities across this nation. His emphasis on compassion and inclusion resonated deeply within the Australian church and has long been at the forefront of social services, education and health care. Here in Australia, his messages found particular relevance in the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society, CatholicCare, Caritas Australia and the many religious orders and lay groups who daily put faith into action. He encouraged the church to be out on the streets rather than locked away in self-preservation. His support for Australia's Catholic institutions, from Catholic schools educating nearly 800,000 students across the country to the hospitals and aged-care facilities serving Australians of all backgrounds, has been a source of strength and encouragement to those communities. His call for leaders to listen more and judge less offered comfort to many Australians who felt estranged from the church, reminding them that the doors of faith remain open. Pope Francis also offered encouragement during moments of hardship for the Australian Catholic community, not least during the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. His words of support, his prayers for victims and his emphasis on the need for truth and justice were deeply felt by survivors and the clergy.

His later years, unfortunately, were marked by declining health. Despite these challenges, he continued his duties with unwavering resolve. He faced criticism from some quarters and misunderstanding from others, but he never wavered in his mission to bring the love of God to all people. He reminded the church that faith is not about exclusion but about welcome, not about isolation but about engagement. His emphasis on tenderness, understanding and accompaniment reflected the heart of the gospel and brought comfort to many.

Pope Francis's death marks the end of an era, an era defined not by power but by humility and service. Today the opposition honours not only the former head of the Catholic Church but a global leader whose influence extended beyond religious boundaries. He leaves a profound legacy, one of compassion in an age of division, mercy in an age of judgement and faith in an age of doubt. We offer our deepest condolences to the Catholic community in Australia and around the world, who mourn the loss of their Holy Father. We recognise the grief felt by millions who found in him a leader of hope, warmth and humanity. May his soul rest in peace, may his example continue to inspire future generations and may we all, regardless of faith or creed, strive to build a world where kindness triumphs over cruelty, mercy over condemnation and love over indifference. Vale, Pope Francis.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of the National Party, I'd like to associate us with the beautiful words of the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and the Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate today and to offer our condolences following the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. As the spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church, his influence spanned continents and generations, offering a voice of faith and conscience in a rapidly shifting world. As a practising Anglican myself and a believer in the enduring authority of Scripture, I speak today with a deep respect for the role the Pope holds within the Christian tradition. Whilst there were many theological and geopolitical positions taken by His Holiness that I do not share, I honour his unwavering personal commitment to the Christian life and his lifelong service to the church.

Pope Francis's papacy was marked by a distinctive emphasis on humility and personal witness. He sought to return the church's attention to the needs of the poor, to the power of mercy and to the Christian call to serve, not be served. In that way, he reflected something profoundly Christ-like and something all leaders, secular or sacred, would do well to remember.

Yet, beyond the institution and its leadership, what I reflect on most at moments like this is the vital role that faith plays in binding communities together. In a time of social atomisation, where institutions are questioned and moral relativism grows, faith—true, personal and scripturally grounded—offers not just comfort but direction. In communities across Australia, our churches remain cornerstones of social cohesion. They are more than buildings; they're places of fellowship, moral instruction, family guidance and intergenerational care.

Faith binds us to each other and roots us in something greater than the present moment. While my views on global policy often differed from those of Pope Francis, I admired his consistency in reminding us that Christian life begins not in ideology but in worship, repentance and service. Pope Francis once urged pastors to be shepherds with the smell of the sheep, a vivid metaphor for leaders who remain close to those they serve, grounded in the realities of everyday life. His words resonate, I believe, beyond the clergy, reminding all in positions of responsibility, whether in faith, public life or community service, that authentic leadership begins with humility, proximity and a deep understanding of the people whose trust you carry.

For Australians, particularly those in the Catholic tradition, his papacy was a call to re-engage with their faith. For the broader Christian community, it was a reminder that the church still has a role to play in the moral formation of our children, the defence of life, the importance of marriage and family, and the preservation of a common good grounded in eternal truth. And, at a time when many may seem to want the church to reflect the world, Pope Francis never ceased to remind us that the church should instead call the world to a higher standard. While the tone and the content of that call may have differed from that of other leaders in the Christian tradition, the essential message remained: Christ is the way, the truth and the life. As we mark his passing, we are also reminded of the temporary nature of human institutions and the eternal nature of divine truth. Leaders come and go, but the gospel remains. The word of God stands forever.

On behalf of the National Party, I extend our condolences to Australia's Catholic community, to all those mourning this loss around the world and to those within the Vatican who supported Pope Francis's ministry. We also offer our prayers for the new pontiff that he might be guided by the Holy Spirit in truth, courage and fidelity, to the teachings of Christ.

In his own words, Pope Francis once said, 'Those who love do not stand idly by but serve others.' This is a truth that I hope everyone in this chamber can affirm. May we carry it forward in our own lives with conviction. May His Holiness rest in the peace of Christ and may those of us entrusted with a public responsibility draw strength from the eternal values of faith, service and truth.

Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to 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.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to express our nation's deep sorrow at the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis and to associate myself with the remarks of others in this chamber. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Australian and global Catholic community and all those whose lives have been touched by the Pope's enduring faith, moral leadership and compassion. His Holiness was not only a spiritual guide to over a billion members of the Catholic community across the world but also a voice of conscience on the world stage, advocating for peace, justice and the dignity of all human life. Whether in moments of global crisis or personal reflection, his words reached far beyond the walls of the Vatican, offering comfort and conviction to people of all faiths and all nations. In my home state of South Australia, where we have a strong and diverse Catholic community, I know his passing was felt deeply. Many will remember his tireless service, his humility and his love for humanity. May he rest in peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire hope and encourage compassion across the globe. Vale, Pope Francis.

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to speak to the condolence motion on Pope Francis. As the first Jesuit Pope and indeed the first non-European Pope for over 1,200 years, he really did seek to break the mould in part. Others in this chamber would know that he took the name of Pope Francis in part to emulate St Francis of Assisi and to build on those teachings, hoping to ground the church in work for the poor and social justice, to speak for the powerless and also—something that, as a Greens senator, I always valued in Pope Francis—to recognise the beauty and the spirituality in our connection to the natural world.

I rise as a very much lapsed Anglican in this debate. My mother was raised Catholic, and, in moments in her life of incredible stress and incredible challenges, I saw her take strength in her Catholic faith. So I know that, for Catholics around the world, the passing of Pope Francis was deeply felt.

But of course, Pope Francis didn't speak in the abstract. Pope Francis spoke about the challenges, the unfairness and the wrongs of the current world, and he sought to make the church a force for good. Pope Francis demonstrated unwavering support for Palestinians throughout the Gaza conflict. From the war's very beginning, he made nightly phone calls to Gaza's Holy Family Church, and he reached out every evening—every evening—to offer comfort and prayers. I know that the videos of those calls circulated online. They touched many people, including me. When you listened to his prayers, his support extended to all Gazans—in his words, 'Christians and Muslims alike'—as he prayed daily for their safety. Tragically, last week, the same Catholic Church to which he reached out and made calls to the priest was in fact bombed by Israeli forces after Pope Francis's passing. That killed three people and wounded the priest. I think we can all agree that the people protesting outside this parliament today would have had Pope Francis's blessing.

Pope Francis also demonstrated profound solidarity with the Tamil people, and he did that throughout his papacy. In January 2015, Pope Francis made history by becoming the first pope to visit Tamil Eelam. When he visited, he visited Our Lady of Madhu in Mannar, which was a Catholic sanctuary that, like the churches and holy places in Gaza, was also devastated during a genocide, and, in fact, it served as a place of refuge for displaced Tamils, whether Catholic or of other faiths. Indeed, just last week, new mass graves were discovered at Chemmani in northern Sri Lanka, continuing to display the revelations of atrocities against Tamils. As we mourn Pope Francis, the Tamil people are again mourning yet more deaths and the discovery of this new atrocity. Now, more than ever, the diaspora in Australia must be supported in their quest for justice. Truth about what happened here is essential, as a necessary means of promoting justice, healing and unity. Pope Francis knew that and prayed for that.

Pope Francis also consistently emphasised climate justice, holding wealthy nations—the United States, Australia and others—accountable for their disproportionate role in global warming, and advocating for vulnerable populations most affected by climate impacts. When he warned the world and called the world to action, he spoke the words, sometimes directly, of St Francis of Assisi, speaking up for the poor and nature in the one moment. Those messages continue to be timely. As we debate and discuss this motion, an algal bloom continues to contribute to mass death of sea life across our southern coasts. We have regions recovering from catastrophic fires and floods, and droughts persisting across much of Australia. We're in a climate crisis that Pope Francis acknowledged. Of course, the answer is to acknowledge and value nature, to recognise our connection with nature, the spirituality of nature and the essential connections that we have with nature, and to keep coal and gas in the ground. The answer is for this place to listen to those teachings, listen to the values of nature, take climate action and protect vulnerable populations and our precious globe from the impacts of climate change.

I can't finish this contribution without also reflecting on Pope Francis's complicated response to child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. I know it's the feeling amongst many of my friends in organisations like SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, that he didn't go far enough in this work. There were also strong criticisms of his handling of child sexual abuse matters in Argentina. That is a part of his history too, and I don't want to airbrush over it. Pope Francis spoke about placing victims at the heart of the church's response to sexual abuse by priests, but little changed in the institution's approach to survivors on his watch. I acknowledge it's an institution that's hard to reform, even for the Pope. His earlier abolition of the pontifical secret was meant to enable cooperation with authorities, but the fact is that the Catholic Church continues to obstruct survivors and it continues to fail to cooperate with domestic judicial proceedings for justice. Reforms to investigations in the church still had bishops investigating each other.

His 2014 creation of a pontifical commission for the protection of minors was very much welcomed at the time. It was another moment that appeared to hold promise, but many observers will say that the commission has been shockingly ineffective and has achieved little. Children deserve safety; survivors deserve justice. That has not yet been achieved by the church.

In a deeply flawed institution, Pope Francis did push for reform. He spoke with generosity, compassion and empathy, and he spoke with hope. He connected millions and his loss has been felt deeply by people of all religions and of none.

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On Easter Monday, 21 April 2025, the world and over a billion Catholics, of which I am but one, learned the sad news of the passing of Pope Francis. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires to Italian immigrants who fled the shadow of Mussolini's fascism, his life was shaped by humility, hardship and deep faith. From working as a bouncer and a janitor to serving in hospitality, Jorge's early experiences grounded him in the very dignity of labour. At the age of 21, while seriously ill, he discerned a vocation that would shape history, entering the Jesuit order and being ordained a priest in 1969—a journey into Catholicism that culminated in his ordination as the Pope.

Pope Francis was indeed a trailblazer—the first Jesuit pope, the first pope from Latin America and the first pope born outside of Europe since the eighth century. His very name, chosen in honour of St Francis of Assisi, foreshadowed a papacy centred on humility, compassion and service for the poor. He consciously rejected the extravagances of office, choosing to live in the Vatican guesthouse, wearing simpler garments and embracing a no-frills papacy. In his very first Holy Thursday as Pope, he washed and kissed the feet of 12 juvenile offenders—an act of radical empathy and grace.

Francis sought to refocus the church on its core mission: mercy. He taught that sin and culpability are not the same and that God's grace finds us in our frailty, not in our perfection. By every one of us seeking to practice forgiveness, we are extending God's love. As the Pope quoted in Amoris Laetitia:

… "a small step, in the midst of great human limitations, can be more pleasing to God than a life which appears outwardly in order, but moves through the day without confronting great difficulties".

Through his compassion, Pope Francis challenged all of us to look upon the world not through eyes of judgement but rather through eyes and a heart of compassion and to see those in pain not as burdens but, as he addressed them, as brothers and sisters in Christ. He reminded us, as St Francis of Assisi did, that 'your god is of your flesh; he lives in your nearest neighbour, in every man'.

Pope Francis also embraced the need for reform. His synod on synodality brought new voices to the church, including women, for the first time, voting in a global synod—an extraordinary moment for representation and inclusion in an ancient institution.

As we share our condolences, let us remember his words in his first speech as pope. He said:

And now let us begin this journey, the Bishop and people, this journey of the Church of Rome, which presides in charity over all the Churches, a journey of brotherhood in love, of mutual trust. Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the whole world that there might be a great sense of brotherhood.

…   …   …

I will now give my blessing to you and to the whole world, to all men and women of good will.

Indeed, when I was on a polling booth at the election, one lady spoke to me about her grief at the loss of the Pope. She said: 'I'm not a Catholic and I'm not even religious, but, let's face it, I'm sad. I saw him as the Pope of the world.'

Today, at the ecumenical worship service at the Wesley Uniting Church to mark the opening of the 48th federal parliament, the theme of the homily was taken from the first letter of St John: 'God is Love'. The Reverend Richard Thompson VG CSM, Vicar-General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, reminded all gathered that trust in people who profess faith is not governed by the words they utter but rather by the actions that they undertake. Father Thompson called on all of us to live that love, that kindness and that generosity in our work here in the parliament in Australia.

In my view, Pope Francis embodied that direction 'God is love', and I witnessed it personally. On the occasion of my husband and I being on holiday in Rome, we attended, in a large public audience, Pope Francis's meeting of the people for the day. Pope Francis's compassion was evident and demonstrated. When following his apostolic blessing, he came down into the gathering and spent the next 20 minutes before he left the building immersed in conversation and giving his personal blessing to people with discernible physical frailty. His reflection that day was on the Old Testament, the Book of Judith. His message was, 'Lord, not my will, but yours be done.' It was a calling on us, as people of goodwill and faith, to emulate that trust. It is, indeed, a radical message for our time. Trust in the Lord's providential care is hardly the fashion of the moment.

Pope Francis understood that the church must be both timeless and timely, anchored in faith, but responsive to the world. He broadened the tent, he expanded the conversation and he reminded us all that the gospel must always walk with people. Pope Francis was in every sense a true man of God—a reformer, a shepherd, a servant of the poor and a voice for the voiceless. May Pope Francis rest in peace and may his legacy of mercy and justice endure and flourish in the life of the church and in the hearts of all people of goodwill.

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to associate myself with the beautiful sentiments that have been expressed this evening in the condolence motion for Pope Francis, with Catholics all around the world and with those who are saddened by his passing. Jesus Christ told his followers to be the salt of the earth, and Pope Francis definitely lived up to that admonition by being a pope who added flavour to the Catholic Church and to the world.

As many have remarked tonight, he did take significantly controversial and impactful positions on matters of climate change and on wars in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The reform of the church, as well, has been expressed in the practices of the synod and other measures. I did not agree with all of those sentiments that the Pope sometimes expressed, but, as a Catholic, I'd much prefer a pope I disagreed with than one that provoked no reaction at all. The Lord does work in mysterious ways. The reactions to Pope Francis's decisions were perhaps sometimes different to what he intended. Somewhat ironically for a pope who did seek to modernise practices within the Catholic Church, his papacy has coincided with the greatest flourishing of traditional Catholicism seen for many centuries. Many young Catholics now find themselves much more attracted to the traditional Latin mass. Despite the attempts of Rome to suppress those practices, they are flourishing—somewhat underground, in the strong traditions of the early church. So Pope Francis's pontificate will have enormous ramifications throughout the church long after his passing.

We, I suppose, in modern times, would consider the admonition of Jesus Christ, in the Sermon on the Mount, to be the salt of the earth to mean 'to add flavour'—to be salty—because that's typically how we use salt in modern times. In Jesus's time, though, salt was primarily used to preserve meat and other foodstuffs for longer term use. Clearly, one of the sentiments that Jesus Christ meant in the Sermon on the Mount was 'to preserve'—to preserve the moral foundations of his teachings. Pope Francis did also live up to that element of Jesus's teaching.

Pope Francis was very traditional in his sentiments on major modern issues. He referred to the enormous increase in the practice of abortion as 'murder' and as part of a 'throwaway culture'. He stood up for the traditional view of marriage as being between a man and a woman, calling such an institution the 'first cell of society'. Indeed, it does seem like we have lost something in that we no longer really have a word to describe the formation, the creation, of a life which happens with the union of a man and a woman. That's something that the Catholic Church continues to stand up for. Pope Francis also strongly rejected what he called 'gender ideology' and stood up for the principle that the human body is a gift from God, not something to be manipulated. I'm sure the Catholic Church will continue to preserve these moral traditions that are not always popular or in fashion but do require a defence.

Despite the criticism, the fascination and, sometimes, the contempt that many have for the Catholic Church, it was to me instructive to see that both the passing of Pope Francis and the election of new pope Leo XIV fascinated the world for months, Catholics and non-Catholics alike. The world's eyes were on Rome and on the goings-on in the Vatican at the time. To me, that shows the importance of defending the faith, defending what people do think is the right faith, despite the criticism.

The Vatican itself, of course, was built on Nero's circus, where St Peter was crucified for having views that were not popular and not shared by the political leaders of the time. But, despite the persecution of those early Catholics, that faith, now my faith, has survived and flourished, and in triumph it has built perhaps the greatest church, or religious building, in the world, upon the very place where early Catholics were persecuted. Indeed, if you have the chance to go into St Peter's Basilica and you look up at the dome—a bit like our dome up there—you will see the words in Latin 'tv es petrvs et svper hanc petram aedificabo ecclesiam meam'—'Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church'. Long may the Catholic Church flourish upon that rock. God bless Pope Francis, and all the best to Pope Leo XIV for his election and his coming pontificate.

Steph Hodgins-May (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I too rise to speak to this condolence motion, and I acknowledge and echo the comments of my colleague Senator Shoebridge. A significant part of Pope Francis's legacy will be how he held the people of Palestine so close to his heart. He called again and again for a ceasefire in Gaza. He highlighted the suffering, the dignity and the humanity of Palestinians. His message has been clear: peace and justice are values that transcend lines of faith and religion. His message speaks to something more universal. It speaks to the fundamentals of human decency, compassion and moral responsibility.

Today, I joined hundreds of protesters and peace advocates gathered on the lawns of parliament to call for an end to the genocide in Gaza. Their message was simple, powerful and urgent. I stand with them, and I echo their calls. The Greens are calling on the Australian government to immediately impose targeted sanctions on the Netanyahu government, end our two-way arms trade with Israel and airdrop food that's desperately needed and medical aid to those people in Gaza who are starving right now.

Let me be clear. The people of Gaza are suffering from an avoidable famine. Thousands of children are on the brink of starvation. Health workers and humanitarian organisations have sounded the alarm. The hunger crisis in Gaza is spiralling. Israel has allowed only a limited amount of aid into the enclave, and it's being distributed under a deeply flawed system backed by the US and Israeli governments that has left Palestinians shot and killed as they try to collect food. We are hearing from doctors and aid workers that the rates of malnutrition in Gaza are close to 100 per cent. That's not just a statistic; it's the face of every child, every family and every person deprived of food and dignity.

For nearly two years, the Greens have urged the government to support an immediate ceasefire, but, in that time, we haven't seen the action that is so desperately needed. Statements are a welcome step in the right direction, but words do not stop bombs and do not feed starving children. Words do not end a genocide. It's time for Australia to turn these statements of concern into action. Now that Australia has formally acknowledged the horror of Israel's ongoing assault, we must also take responsibility for not being complicit in it. If we are to properly honour Pope Francis's legacy, if we are to live up to international law, basic human decency and a shared global call for a free Palestine, then we must act not just with words but with real actions and real consequences. We must end the two-way arms trade. We must cancel every contract with weapons manufacturers who profit from genocide. We must impose real, impactful and severe sanctions on the Netanyahu government, and we must play a role in delivering aid to the thousands of people starving in Gaza.

Andrew McLachlan (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Grogan, on a point of order?

Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm a bit perturbed here. I have a point of order on relevance. This is a condolence motion for the Pope.

Andrew McLachlan (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hodgins-May, I will bring you back to the point of this contribution. I have been listening, and I have given you a fair bit of latitude. Could you please return to the purpose of this contribution? Thank you.

Steph Hodgins-May (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Justice demands more than empathy; it demands action, peace and a world that speaks out for the rights of all people. May Pope Francis rest in peace.

Question agreed to, honourable senators joining in a moment of silence.