Pope Leo XIV consoles grieving father, affirming “death never has the last word” and highlighting hope in resurrection and faith.
Newsroom (20/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) In a heartfelt exchange published in the October issue of Piazza San Pietro magazine, Pope Leo XIV responded to a grieving father’s letter with a message of hope, affirming that “death never has the last word.”
The letter came from Francesco, a father of four, who shared the enduring pain of losing his 12-year-old son, Domenico Maria, to a sudden illness 18 years ago. Despite the passage of time, Francesco wrote that the loss feels as raw as if it happened yesterday. “Holiness, this letter of mine is intended only as a thought, as well as a remembrance for our son, so that God, in his infinite goodness and mercy as a Father, may welcome him into the kingdom of heaven,” he expressed.
In his response, the pontiff offered spiritual guidance, urging Francesco to remain anchored in faith. “The important thing is to always remain connected to the Lord, going through the greatest pain with the help of His Grace, which always comes — be sure of that — even in the darkest moments,” Pope Leo wrote.
Reflecting on the enduring presence of God’s love, the pope highlighted the significance of Baptism as a lifelong bond with Christ. “All this begins with our Baptism and will never end,” he noted. “Baptism introduces us into communion with Christ and gives us true life, committing us to renounce a culture of death that is very present in our society.”
The pontiff emphasized the triumph of resurrection over despair, stating, “Death never has the last word! The last word, which opens the doors to eternity and joy that lasts forever, is the resurrection, which knows no discouragement or pain that imprisons us in the extreme difficulty of not finding meaning in our existence.”
Francesco’s letter also recalled his son’s passion for soccer and the deep friendships he forged through the sport. In response, Pope Leo drew a parallel between authentic prayer and sport, noting, “Authentic prayer, like authentic sport, practiced together, creates bonds and unites forever, as it united Domenico Maria with all those on his ‘team’ of true friendship, with bonds that go far beyond death.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files from CNA
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