Dear Members of the USF Community,
Today, I share the deep sorrow of many of you as we reflect on the death of Pope Francis. He was a courageous global leader, a champion of the poor who eschewed many of the traditional trappings of the papacy for a humble, charismatic style. He was the first Latin American pope and was a brother Jesuit to me and the members of the USF Jesuit community.
I remember very clearly in March 2013, when he was introduced to the world as the 266th pope, he asked for the prayers of the “people of God” — people of all faiths, Christian and non-Christian alike.
“Pope Francis kept a watchful eye on what was happening in the world to offer a word of hope to all,” said Superior General of the Society of Jesus Rev. Arturo Sosa this morning.
Pope Francis’ extraordinary encyclicals — Laudato Si', about Earth as our common home, and Fratelli Tutti, a call for more human fraternity and solidarity as well as a plea to reject wars — “reveal not only a lucid analysis of the state of humanity, but, in the light of the Gospel, they also offer ways to eliminate the causes of so much injustice and to promote reconciliation,” Fr. Sosa said.
Thank you for your prayers — for Pope Francis and for peace and justice in our world.
In solidarity,
John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J.
Interim President and Chief Mission Officer