Pope Francis / Papa Francisco

1936-2025

We are saddened by the death of our beloved Holy Father Pope Francis. His pontificate from the beginning was one of humility as he inspired not just Catholics, but people of goodwill all around the world. He is now being called “the People’s Pope”, because like Jesus in Luke chapter 4, his mission was to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, and to let the oppressed go free. This was seen in his consistent ministry of promoting peace, human dignity, and social justice. We are grateful that he shook us out of our complacency and reminded us that we are all bound to God and one another above all else.

Pope Francis was a true prophet, a voice for God and a voice for the voiceless. That voice will be missed. In Pope Francis’s last public address, he preached care of the marginalized, the vulnerable, and migrants, saying “I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves. May we heed his wish!

I hope whoever comes next will continue Pope Francis’s steady, strong, and compassionate leadership.