His Holiness Pope Francis
With deep sorrow, we acknowledge the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. As we grieve the loss of a shepherd who led the Church with compassion, humility, and courage, we commend his soul to the mercy of God. May he rest in the peace of Christ whom he served so faithfully.
In this time of interregnum, we are reminded of the Church’s enduring trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The days ahead will be filled with reflection, prayer, and discernment as the Church prepares to choose a new successor to St. Peter. Let us unite our hearts in prayer—for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul, for those who mourn him, and for the College of Cardinals as they prepare for the sacred task of electing the next pope.
Pope Francis once said, “Let us ask the Lord for the gift of hope: it is hope that gives us an awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit in us.” May that hope sustain us in this season of loss and transition.
As we return for the final three weeks of the semester, I encourage each of you to turn to the Holy Spirit with renewed earnestness. These are days of grief but also of great hope. Let us seek the Spirit’s comfort, strength, and wisdom as individuals and as a community formed in service of the Gospel.
May our prayers be a source of unity, encouragement, and spiritual clarity in this moment of transition.
