Dear Fellow Old Ignatians 

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday morning. Pope Francis was an extraordinary person of faith, who served our God, the Church and the humanity with great humility and a passion for people on the margins of society. He drew strength from his relationship with Jesus Christ and greeted and embraced everyone, acknowledging that each person is made in the image and likeness of God. Pope Francis was unlike other popes many of us have known in that he was the first Pope from the southern hemisphere, coming from Buenos Aires. He was also the first member of the Society of Jesus to be elected as the Bishop of Rome and he was the first Pope in nearly 700 years to be elected following the resignation of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. He was also the first Pope to appoint a woman as the prefect or leader of a Vatican Dicastery. 

From his first words as Pope Francis, there were indications that his pontificate would be different, especially when he humbly asked all of us to pray for him. In the days that followed, his humility and deep love of the poor came to the fore, choosing to live more simply in the Vatican guesthouse of Casa Santa Martha rather than the Apostolic Palace. Moreover, his first apostolic trip was to Lampedusa, listening to and accompanying people whose had fled their countries seeking a better life. Through his encyclical, Laudato Si, Pope Francis reminded us of the interrelationship of the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. It is people who already live on the margins of society that are most deeply impacted by the environmental distress and challenges being experienced in different parts of the world. Pope Francis also emphasised the mercy of God. Through his extensive pastoral experience, especially as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he is aware of the pastoral challenges of accompanying people who experience complexity in their lives, and especially relationships. And more recently, Pope Francis invited the Church to journey together more faithfully, along the path of synodality, creating space for all baptised people to participate more fully in the life of the Church. Earlier this week, the staff and students gathered on the first day of Term 2 to celebrate the Eucharist to give thanks to God for the gift of Pope Francis' life, and especially his leadership over the last twelve years. We also prayed for the College of Cardinals as they gather from across the globe to reflect upon the needs of the Church at this time, in preparation for the upcoming Conclave. May their hearts and minds be open to the Spirit as they prepare to elect the next Bishop of Rome, who will become our next Pope. Let's pray that Pope Francis may experience the gift of eternal life, having been embraced by the risen Jesus Christ. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. 

May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. 

Yours sincerely in Christ Thomas Renshaw SJ Rector