In his weekly columns, Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito often referenced the words and wisdom of the Holy Fathers. In a recent column, Bishop Barbarito quoted Pope Leo XVI: “Pope Leo so well expressed heart-lived wisdom in regard to justice: ‘There is no justice without compassion, there is no legitimacy without listening to the suffering of others.’”
In response to Pope Francis’ passing, Bishop Barbarito said the pope taught the faithful “a powerful lesson on the true meaning of hope during this Jubilee Year of Hope.” While the pope declined in health during Lent, he still “looked forward with great determination, in hope, to the fullness of life, which came to him at Easter. He was a man of tremendous hope, which he lived to the end, and which provided joy to all of us.”
In speaking about Pope Benedict, Bishop Barbarito said, “His greatness of mind and spirit was comparable to the depth of his humility. The life of Joseph Ratzinger was always centered on a living relationship with a loving God. He lived his life in this manner always concerned about blessing and not impressing.
