Following the death of Pope Francis, the Prior General of the Order of Augustinian Recollects, Friar Miguel Angel Hernandez Dominguez, has issued a note of mourning in which he expresses his deep sorrow, joins in the grief of the Church and thanks the pontiff for his legacy of faith, closeness and evangelical commitment.
A life at the service of the poorest and the whole Church
The General Curia of the Augustinian Recollects, through its Prior General, Friar Miguel Angel Hernandez, has expressed its sorrow for the death of Pope Francis, which occurred on April 21, 2025. In the official note, the Order unites itself “to the sorrow of the whole Church” and expresses its gratitude “for all that his magisterium has meant“.
In simple words, but full of gratitude, the note highlights the Pope’s pastoral style, his generous dedication and his unwavering commitment to the least of these:
“We are especially grateful for his tireless commitment to the poorest, his closeness to those who suffer and his constant call to care for the common home.”
The message also highlights the life witness of Pope Francis:
“Thank you, Holy Father, for your dedicated life, for your humble and courageous witness, for your prophetic word and for your Gospel-filled gestures.”
A grateful prayer
From Buenos Aires, the Pope’s hometown and symbolic place of this moment, the Order has raised a prayer for his soul. With filial trust, the note concludes:
“The Order commends him in its prayer and we ask that, from heaven, he will continue to sustain the Church with his prayer.”
The Echo of Francis among the Augustinian Recollects
During his pontificate, Pope Francis maintained a close relationship with the Order, encouraging its charismatic revitalization process and its missionary spirit. In words and gestures, he was a pastor who knew how to live “with a Gospel flavor,” as St. Francis of Assisi used to say.
Today, the Augustinian Recollects bid farewell to the Successor of Peter with gratitude, hope and confident prayer.
