Fr Gerry Comiskey in Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral

A WELL-KNOWN priest, who ministered in Fermanagh for more than 10 years, said it was “a very privileged moment” to witness Pope Francis’ final public appearance on Easter Sunday.
Despite his ailing health, the pontiff appeared at St Peter’s Square on Sunday where he delivered his Easter blessing upon thousands of Catholics who watched on around the world.
Fr Gerry Comiskey, a former parish priest in Kinawley and in the parish of Drumlane, and a native of Leitrim, was present at St Peter’s Square for Pope Francis’ Easter blessing.
“It was very poignant really. For all of us who were gathered there, we will regard it as a very privileged moment. Thankfully I’m also present for the funeral,” Fr Comiskey told the ‘Herald.
The popular Fr Comiskey has been in Rome for a number of weeks on a ‘study programme’. He joined up with around 1800 priests to celebrate The Chrism Mass, on Holy Thursday.
Pope Francis visited the Regina Coeli prison on Holy Thursday, where he met and spent time with prisoners and guards. Fr Comiskey said he was “committed” to carrying out his duty.
“We expected that he might make a visit to join us but instead he opted to go to the prison. That was the measure of the man. He was very committed to doing it,” the local priest said.
“On Sunday morning, when he spoke, his voice was so weak and he looked so frail. We were just astonished at how determined he was to be present at the Easter Sunday blessing.”
The Holy Father, who passed away less than 24 hours after his appearance at St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, always maintained his sense of humility and affection for his people.
“He insisted on going around the square in his pope mobile. In hindsight, it would appear he was possibly thinking this might as well be his last time here,” recalled Fr Comiskey.
“Pope Francis brought his own very splendid charisma to the papacy. We are all remarking here on his immense humility and ability to be very present, right until the end on Sunday.”
Fr Comiskey and Fermanagh priest, Monsignor Enda Murphy, met with Pope Francis in 2017.
Recalling how ‘attentive he was to the person that was in his company’, Fr Comiskey recognises that there is an uncertainty in Rome as the 135 Cardinals prepare to select a new pontiff.
“There is a feeling of great sadness and great loss,” the priest explained.
“There are other emotions too. The church is really like an enormous family across the world and when a family member dies, there is always sadness.
“Sometimes when a person is elderly and they’ve endured a struggle, there is relief that the person has not to struggle any longer. I think that emotion is also present these days.
“We’re grateful that he was able to run the race, he completed his tasks and it’s profoundly significant that he was in attendance and so attentive on Easter Sunday and died 24 hours after.”
Fr Comiskey will be present in Rome on Saturday (April 26) for Pope Francis’ funeral.
The pontiff will be the first Pope in more than 100 years not be buried in the crypt of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Pope Francis will be laid to rest in the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome.