In Remembrance of Pope Francis
Published: April 22, 2025.
Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,
As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, I want to take a moment to reflect on his extraordinary legacy—and his profound impact on our Lewis University community.
Pope Francis consistently called us to live the Gospel through compassion, mercy, and justice. As a Lasallian Catholic institution, we are called to continue this mission: to serve the peripheries, be a voice for the voiceless, promote peace, educate for justice, welcome the stranger, and bring hope to the poor and marginalized.
On May 21, 2022, during the of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, Pope Francis shared this message with Lasallians:
“Indeed, you are in the front line, educating so as to move from a closed world to an open world; from a throwaway culture to a culture of care; from a culture of rejection to a culture of integration; from the pursuit of vested interests to the pursuit of the common good. As educators, you know very well that this transformation must start from the conscience, or it will only be a façade. And you also know that you cannot do this work alone, but by cooperating in an ‘educational alliance’ with families, with communities and ecclesial aggregations, with the educational realities present in the territory.”
Pope Francis’ deep concern for families, immigrants, and the poor was especially evident in his historic 2015 address to the U.S. Congress. Among those present was Brother James Gaffney, FSC, president emeritus of Lewis University, who reflected:
“Pope Francis has been for me a constant and genuine reminder of the joy of the Gospel and the powerful appeal of Jesus Christ as the revelation of God’s compassion, justice and faithful accompaniment of all people, with a special regard for the needy and struggling.”
Many in our community have been personally touched by Pope Francis—whether by attending an Epiphany Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica or participating in his Papal pilgrimage to Philadelphia. His life and leadership continue to inspire us to act with dignity, mercy, responsibility, and a deep sense of service.
Regardless of faith tradition, all are welcome to participate in a Mass celebrating the life of Pope Francis at noon on Wednesday, April 23, in Sancta Alberta Chapel on the Romeoville campus.
Let us come together in gratitude for his life and legacy.
Many Blessings,
Dr. David Livingston
President
