By: Colin Cooney ’28
On the morning after Easter Sunday, the world awoke to the sad news that Pope Francis had passed away. In the wake of his death and of the recent conclusion to the liturgical season of Lent, we are reminded of the power of repentance, forgiveness, and mercy as well as the promise of eternal life and salvation. As we honor and pray for Pope Francis, it is fitting that we also reflect upon the hopeful message of Easter.
Pope Francis humbly served as the head of the Catholic Church from March 13, 2013 until his death on April 21, 2025. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio to parents of Italian descent, Bergoglio studied chemistry and worked in the food processing industry before answering his vocation to join the Jesuits in 1958. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969 and rose to Cardinal 2001. As Pope, he chose the papal name Francis after St. Francis of Assisi.
As I watched and read news coverage of the death of Pope Francis, I came across a letter he had written in the hospital, and I wanted to share it with our Chaminade community:
“The walls of hospitals have heard more honest prayers than churches… They have witnessed far more sincere kisses than those in airports… It is in hospitals that you see a homophobe being saved by a gay doctor. A privileged doctor saving the life of a beggar… In intensive care, you see a Jew taking care of a racist… A police officer and a prisoner in the same room receiving the same care… A wealthy patient waiting for a liver transplant, ready to receive the organ from a poor donor… It is in these moments, when the hospital touches the wounds of people, that different worlds intersect according to a divine design. And in this communion of destinies, we realize that alone, we are nothing. The absolute truth of people, most of the time, only reveals itself in moments of pain or in the real threat of an irreversible loss. A hospital is a place where human beings remove their masks and show themselves as they truly are, in their purest essence. This life will pass quickly, so do not waste it fighting with people. Do not criticize your body too much. Do not complain excessively. Do not lose sleep over bills. Make sure to hug your loved ones. Do not worry too much about keeping the house spotless. Material goods must be earned by each person—do not dedicate yourself to accumulating an inheritance. You are waiting for too much: Christmas, Friday, next year, when you have money, when love arrives, when everything is perfect… Listen, perfection does not exist. A human being cannot attain it because we are simply not made to be fulfilled here. Here, we are given an opportunity to learn. So, make the most of this trial of life—and do it now. Respect yourself, respect others. Walk your own path, and let go of the path others have chosen for you. Respect: do not comment, do not judge, do not interfere. Love more, forgive more, embrace more, live more intensely! And leave the rest in the hands of the Creator.” – Pope Francis
Pope Francis—the “People’s Pope”— inspires us to live honestly, simply, and without judgement of self or others. That is no small task, but what a wonderful world we would have if more of us endeavored to do so. As we embark on the last semester of our academic year, may we all try more intently to embrace the life, teachings, and legacy of Pope Francis.
We pray for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul and that he is welcomed into the loving arms of the Lord God. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
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