Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergohlio, died at age 88 on April 21.
A statement from the Vatican reported that Francis “died from a cerebral stroke that put him into a coma and led to irreversible heart failure.” CBS News reported that the Pope had experienced multiple health issues in recent years, including abdominal surgeries and pneumonia in both lungs.
Appointed as the 266th Pope in 2013, Francis served as an advocate amongst the Catholic Church. He was known for his outspokenness and advocacy for various civil rights issues including immigration, war, and sexual abuse scandals in the church.
Francis was the first pope from the Society of Jesus, or Jesuits, to be appointed. As a Jesuit University, Loyola faculty and students were saddened by this devastating loss in the Catholic and Jesuit community.
Campus Ministry Intern Michael Moseley, ‘26, was upset by the news, but not taken aback.
“I was surprised he made it out of the hospital after that case of double pneumonia but ultimately it wasn’t a surprise that he passed. It was apt that it happened on Easter Monday,” Moseley said.
Moseley says Francis will leave a “profound” legacy on Loyola’s campus for multiple reasons.
“I have seen a great mourning for him by the students of Loyola, whether that be in conversation or on Instagram. For students, his personability seemed to be his most endearing trait,” Moseley said.
Similarly, Campus Ministry Intern, Lily Hajjar, ‘26 was saddened by his death. However, Hajjar felt Francis had accomplished a lot in his time serving as Pope, and stayed true to his morals and goals.
“His Christ-like compassion broke through barriers that no other Pope had ever accomplished.I believe Loyola students will remember Pope Francis’ acceptance, progressiveness, and the change he was unafraid to make within the church,” Hajjar said.
Hajjar also said that students should remember him by his legacy and advocacy, specifically for his work surrounding the environmental crisis addressed in his book, Laudato si’.
“This acknowledgement was unlike anything we’ve ever seen from the Catholic church before, yet he seamlessly connected our faith values to environmental justice,” Hajjar said.
Vice President for Mission and Identity Milton Bravo shared how he feels the passing of Pope Francis has affected the Jesuit community.
“I believe his passing has affected several members of our community, beginning with our Jesuit priests. They not only lost a dear Pope as we all did, but they also lost a brother, a fellow Jesuit,” Bravo said.
Bravo went on to explain how students have been reacting to this news and the inspiration Pope Francis had on so many people within the Loyola community.
“The students I’ve spoken to also felt this loss, as Pope Francis was seen as a pastoral figure who was welcoming, inclusive, and a moral leader during a time in world history when it was so needed. I believe many will continue to be inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si, on the Care of Our Common Home, and his call to work for environmental and social justice, as both realities are intrinsically connected.”
As Loyola mourns this great loss, President Terrance Sawyer sent out a newsletter this week honoring Francis, explaining ways Loyola and their students can celebrate him, and offering resources to anyone interested.
For those interested in attending an event honoring Pope Francis, there are a variety of prayer services being held in the coming weeks. Pope Francis will be included in the intentions of the Prayer of the Faithful for both the 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Masses in the Alumni Memorial Chapel on Sunday, April 27.
Additionally, the Alumni Memorial Chapel will be open during the weekdays to offer a dedicated, safe space for students, faculty, staff, and friends to mourn the passing of the Pope. The Campus Ministry team will display a portrait of Pope Francis with candles and flowers. All are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
If you are unable to attend either of those events, there are more prayer services as well as an academic symposium hosted by the Catholic Studies Program, Theology Department, and the Mission and Identity Division that will honor and reflect the Pope’s life and legacy both inside and outside of the Church.
Faculty and staff urge students who are struggling with this news to reach out to a trusted individual. Students should feel free to contact Loyola’s Counseling Center if they are in distress or would like to further talk about this sudden news.
To learn more about Pope Francis and next steps in appointing the new Pope, you can visit www.vaticannews.va/en.html.
