Pope Francis, 88, died just one day after appearing at St. Peter's Square to deliver his Easter blessings to the faithful. The Argentine pontiff, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years, was known for his commitment to social justice, environmental stewardship, and building bridges across religious and cultural divides.
At Fordham University, the Jesuit institution of New York, President Tania Tetlow described how Francis embodied the Jesuit approach to faith and service.
"During his 12-year tenure, Francis embodied the Jesuit way of proceeding as he moved the Church in the direction of its people, loving the Church enough to improve it," Tetlow said. "With his trademark humility, he urged the global Church to become the dream of the Gospels, one in which a justice rooted in love prevails, one that listens to its people. He reminded us that we are 'fratelli tutti'—brothers and sisters all."
Armando Nuñez, chair of Fordham's Board of Trustees, who had the opportunity to meet with Pope Francis in Rome last year alongside Tetlow, called the pope's impact on Jesuit institutions "profound" and recalled the powerful experience of introducing the Argentinian pontiff to the Fordham delegation.
"Although our encounter with Papa Francesco at the Vatican was brief... meeting the Holy Father is something I will remember for the rest of my life," Nuñez reflected.
