8 Proverbs from the Pope on dying: Before death, many issues are brought down to size

Devotion to St. Joseph as patron of a good death, and the idea of preparing for death are not a theme and "legacy of the past." Instead, "our relationship with death is never about the past – it always present," said Pope Francis on February 9 as he considered this devotion to St. Joseph.

He noted how his predecessor, Benedict XVI, has just spoken about his own reflections on death, and that we should thank him for his message given with "this clarity."

Even if we try to banish the thought of our finality, we can not remove the power of death, the Pope said. And our Christian faith is not about taking away the fear of death, but rather, "it helps us to face it. Sooner or later, we will all pass through that door."

The mystery of Christ helps us "to look at all of life through fresh eyes," Francis said. He went on to offer some little reminders about how to think of death.