“In an interview before a special Mass in honor of Pope Francis at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena in Allentown, Schlert spoke of the poignancy of the pope’s last ride through St. Peter’s Square.

“He was right where he wanted to be,” Schlert said. “No one knew it would be the last time we’d see him on this Earth.”

His death on Easter Monday struck more than one commentator, including Schlert, as the pontiff’s almost willing his departure from the world at a time of his choosing.

“I think he wanted to die in the glory of the resurrection,” the bishop said.

Beyond giving voice to the voiceless, Schlert added, Francis “saw the church as what it is — the body of Christ. It’s not a monolith, it’s a group of the faithful.'”

The Morning Call

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For the Lehigh Valley’s Catholics, Pope Francis was a leader like no other

Allentown Bishop Alfred Schlert said Pope Francis “reminded the faithful that the Church is a hospital for the sinner and not just for the saints.”