The passing of Pope Francis has generated a huge amount of media coverage. I may be wrong, but I can't recall this level of TV and news reporting for any previous pontiff. Local news here in Australia had his death as the lead item for several nights and the funeral was covered live by every network. It was extraordinary.

Doubtless Francis was a much loved man. But something else is at play here. At the heart is the very modern tendency to wring every last drop (and then some) from any noteworthy event, especially one that is a perfect match for cameras. As a Catholic Christian myself, I obviously have an interest in this and what happens next, but please excuse me if I take a more sober view of a journalism that is one moment lauding the church and then putting a knife in its back a week later.

Father John's homily last night touched on the Pope Francis's encyclical letter, Fratelli Tutti. which advocated for a 'an advancing of the ethics of fellowship and friendship, goodwill and dialogue to dispel the dark clouds over a closed world.' I think it (the letter) is certainly worth a read for indeed, the world is darkening and people need to push back against the gloom.

Rest in Peace, Pope Francis.