Barabbas Lives, Pope Francis Dies

Guest Blog post from Rachel Sevcik, my 28-year-old daughter.

by Rachel Sevcik

Brooklyn

Pope Francis died the day after Easter, a day after using his podium to advocate for virtually every vulnerable group: the people of Gaza, Yemen, Myanmar, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Sudan, the Congo, and so on. He also died shortly after meeting with J.D. Vance amid political tensions between the Vatican and the Trump administration over their abhorrent treatment of migrants. Growing up Catholic, my relationship to Catholicism is a complicated one. I have seen the good, and I’m aware of the bad and the ugly. However, Pope Francis always gave me hope that the church could evolve and use its platform to promote justice and equity. 

Pope Francis vocally spoke to protect the planet amid our climate crisis, he progressed the church toward more LGBTQ+ inclusion, he called for tech ethics in the face of an AI industry boom, he vocally advocated for migrants, and was a true advocate for Palestinians - even imploring the investigation into officially labeling it a genocide.

It is especially evocative that the day after Easter—a celebration of life triumphing over death—a Pope known for championing the vulnerable from the pulpit has passed away, while an administration that pardoned the January 6th rioters now leads our nation.

The bible tells the story of Jesus and Barabbas before Jesus’s crucifixion. In the eyes of the Roman empire, there are two criminals in front of them. Firstly, Barabbas, an insurrectionist and a violent criminal and secondly, Jesus, who is accused of committing heresy by claiming to be the son of God and generally upsetting the powerful as he speaks up for the vulnerable and for cultural change. During that time, there was a Passover tradition allowing the release of one prisoner. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor at the time, was not convinced that Jesus had done any crime, and repeatedly questioned if Jesus was guilty.

“I find no basis for a charge against him.” – John 18:38

He first tried avoiding responsibility by sending Jesus to Herod to be responsible for Jesus's fate, but when Herod found him innocent and sent Jesus back, he bowed to the pressure and put the decision up to the people. Chief priests and elders went through the crowd, riling them up to pick Barabbas. Who did they want to walk free, the insurrectionist or Jesus? The people, persuaded by the most powerful in the room, picked Barabbas to be released. After, Jesus was beaten and killed.

History repeats itself time and time again. While reading the Pope’s last address, I think of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia (“I find no basis for a charge against him.”), the Ukrainian people, the trans community, and everyone who has been painted as undeserving of human dignity in the eyes of the Trump administration. I also think of leaders like J.D. Vance and Pontius Pilate—figures who lack the backbone or conviction to stand for justice, despite their claims to righteousness. And then there are those with less formal power but that still hold significant influence: the 'elders' who can sway a crowd to do their bidding.

Despite it all, I continue to hope that alongside the tradition of Easter - good will conquer evil, and life will conquer death. 

“On this day, I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas! For all of us are children of God!” - Pope Francis, 4/20/25

About Rachel: When Rachel was in first grade, in faith formation class at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Alpharetta, Georgia, the children pondered the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, where Jesus, radical in his mercy, engaged a woman in conversation. At that time, culture norms stated men did not talk to women in this situation, but also, the Jews and the Samaritans lived in a particular tension.

The children were asked to draw what they remembered. Rachel drew a woman saying, "You're not supposed to talk to me!" The bubble with Jesus' response: "Yes I am."

Over 20 years later, you see what that little girl grew up and pondered and wrote in response to the death of our beloved Pope Francis in our contentious world.

Currently, Rachel lives in Brooklyn, where she works for a non-profit advertising agency, passionate about being a part of making the world a more compassionate place. And yes, she talks to men and women at a variety of wells, seeking knowledge, action, and peace.