"His was a papacy of firsts", the Prime Minister said, whilst declaring that flags would be lowered to half-mast in recognition of the Pope's passing on Easter Monday.
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00:00Today the prayers of more than a billion people, from all nations and every walk of life, go
00:07with Pope Francis to his rest.
00:11Born in Argentina in 1936 and ordained a priest in 1969, Pope Francis' fellow Cardinals elected
00:21him Pope in 2013.
00:26This was a papacy of firsts, the first Pope to hail from the Americas, the first Jesuit
00:32Pope and the first to take the name of that great champion of the poor, Saint Francis of
00:40Assisi.
00:42Pope Francis' compassion embraced all humanity and today he will be mourned by Catholics and
00:50non-Catholics alike.
00:53He urged us to remember all we hold in common and he asked the world to hear the cry of
00:59the earth, our common home.
01:03He invited world leaders to join him and, to quote him,
01:08emerge from the dark night of wars and environmental devastation in order to turn our common future
01:18into the dawn of a new and radiant day.
01:24He was very much a modernist.
01:31His message that he sent out echoed in our region during his historic visit to Indonesia, Papua New
01:40Guinea, Singapore and Timor-Leste.
01:44The first Pope from the Southern Hemisphere was close to the people of Australia.
01:50For Australian Catholics he was a devoted champion and loving father.
01:56Pope Francis lived out his faith and vocation in word and deed.
02:01He was truly inspirational.
02:04In his modest way of life and at his weekly audiences he demonstrated his commitment to
02:11peace, equality and inclusion.
02:15Pope Francis' love for humanity was powerful and profound.
02:20The memory and example of his compassion will long endure.
02:26As we mourn his death we celebrate the gift of his life and presence among us and we hold
02:32on to the resonant truth of Pope Francis' final Easter homily.
02:40The light quietly shines forth even though we are in darkness.
02:46The promise of new life and a world finally set free awaits us and a new beginning, however
02:52impossible it might seem, can take us by surprise for Christ has triumphed over death.
03:02May God welcome Pope Francis to eternal life.
03:08I have asked the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet that all flags from the Commonwealth
03:17Government of Australia will fly at half-mast tomorrow as a sign of respect and my sincere
03:26condolences to everyone who for tonight it will be a very difficult evening.
03:38God bless you!
03:40God bless you!
03:43Thank you!
03:46Thank you very much.