Piotr Kowalczuk – Vatican
Wise and caring shepherd
In his homily, the Pope noted that Cardinal Ruini was able to lead the People of God and his brothers in the episcopate through important and delicate moments, facing numerous challenges with enthusiasm, discernment, and courage. He recalled that the deceased was particularly committed to promoting the contribution of the Catholic world to religious, social, and political life, while also being an animator of open dialogue. The Pope indicated that the sources of strength with which Cardinal Ruini faced challenges and difficulties should be sought in his deep faith and divine love. Leo XIV recalled the words of the deceased written in his Spiritual Testament: “I hope, Lord, that I acted not for personal interests, but for the purposes entrusted to me and which I wholeheartedly shared”.
Cardinal Ruini drew much from the example of St. John Paul II
The Holy Father recalled that Cardinal Ruini had the grace to personally know and collaborate with great saints of recent times, such as St. Paul VI and St. John Paul II. He quoted the deceased’s words about his relationship with the Polish Pope: “In John Paul II, I experienced Your presence, Lord, I could almost touch the sense of unity in prayer, the indissolubility of prayer, life and apostolate, the courage of faith that guides history, the capacity for love and forgiveness”. Leo XIV expressed his conviction that Cardinal Ruini was able to draw much from the example of John Paul II, because many of the characteristics with which he describes the Holy Pope can also be found in the character of the deceased: “I believe that this harmony of feelings can also animate us on our journey”.
Motto “The truth will set you free”
The Pope recalled that Cardinal Ruini chose the words inspired by the Gospel of St. John as the motto for his episcopal ministry: “The truth will set us free”. “These words summarize the profound concept of the person and freedom that Christ revealed to us and that the Church teaches: we are created for truth and for good, and only in this do we find unity, peace, and full realization, both in temporal life and for eternity,” said Leo XIV.
He indicated that this message is particularly relevant in our times, because today one can get lost in relativistic tendencies and fluid visions of reality and man. “Looking at the life of Cardinal Ruini, at how he lived and how he left this world, we can see a sign of the strength and solidity with which a person grows and matures when he finds the center and axis of his existence in the Truth that comes from God”.
Finally, the Pope thanked those who accompanied the Cardinal, supported him and helped him in his work, during his pastoral ministry, and especially in his old age and illness.
