Pope Leo: 'Pope Francis was a devoted shepherd who touched so many hearts'

"On the first anniversary of the death of our dear Pope Francis, his memory remains vivid in the Church and throughout the world."

Pope Leo XIV expressed this in the message he sent to Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, on the first anniversary of Pope Francis' death.

Cardinal Re read Pope Leo's message to those gathered at the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major - where Pope Francis is buried - during the Mass celebrated to commemorate the anniversary of his death.

Pope Leo lamented being absent from Rome on the occasion due to his 11-day Apostolic Journey to four African nations, but reassured those present of his spiritual closeness as he offered words of appreciation for his predecessor and friend.

"Death," the Holy Father first reminded the faithful, "is not a wall, but a door that opens wide onto the Mercy that Pope Francis tirelessly proclaimed."

In the message, Pope Leo remembered Pope Francis as a missionary, proclaiming the Gospel of mercy “to everyone, everyone, everyone,” as he said more than once.

"The fruits inspired by his witness as a devoted shepherd," he noted, "touched the hearts of so many people, even to the ends of the earth, also thanks to his Apostolic Journeys and especially to that final “journey” which was his illness and his death."