Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died at 88 on April 21. He suffered serious health issues this year, but the death came as a shock following an Easter appearance in St. Peter’s Square hours before.
In an April 21 email to community members, University President Robert Kelly shared a message of mourning.
“Today is a sad day here on The Bluff and across the globe as we mourn the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis,” Kelly said “We join the Church and the world as we pray in thanksgiving for the Holy Father's ministry and witness. We also ask that this good shepherd rest in the loving embrace of our Good Shepherd, and that all who mourn may know God's comfort and consolation.”
Information on how the University will mark the passing has not been announced, but community members should visit the Campus Ministry website for updates, according to Kelly.
Francis has been praised for creating a more inclusive church, a sentiment Kelly echoed in the email.
“...Pope Francis dreamed of a "poor church" standing in close solidarity with those on the margins of society,” Kelly said. “...many years ago, I read a quote from one of the Pope's writings and it has stuck with me ever since: ‘The Church does not exist to condemn people, but to bring about an encounter with the visceral love of God's mercy.’ Amen!”
Kelly encourages community members affected by the event to contact Campus Ministry, the Counseling Center, pastoral residents, hall staff, the Office of Student Affairs and human resources for support.
Maggie Dapp is the Sports Editor at The Beacon. She can be reached at dapp26@up.edu.
