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Today, we stand united with the global Catholic community in mourning the loss of Pope Francis. His profound compassion, dedication to justice, and humble leadership impacted countless lives and spread hope worldwide.
Elected in 2013 after Pope Benedict XVI resigned. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Pope Francis was the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit pope and also the first to take the name ‘Francis’, after St Francis of Assisi.
Taking the name Francis pointed to his foci; compassion, concern for the poor and the environment. Notably, Pope Francis chose to live a life of simplicity, removing much of the finery and even moving away from the Apostolic Palace of previous popes, instead, living in the Vatican guest house, ‘Santa Marta’.
In his time as Pope, Pope Francis wrote extensively, including Papal Encyclicals ‘Evangelii Gaudium’ (The Joy of The Gospel) in 2013, ‘Laudato Si’ (Praised Be) in 2015, ‘Fratelli Tutti’ (Brothers All) in 2020 and ‘Laudate Deum’ (Praise God) in 2023.
Pope Francis’ papacy was quite different to his predecessors, becoming the first pope to visit Iraq and meeting with many world and religious leaders on significant topics such as war, migration and protection of children. During his papacy, Pope Francis celebrated four World Youth Day gatherings and also inaugurated an extraordinary Jubilee year, the Jubilee of Mercy in 2015.
During his papacy, Pope Francis canonised the ‘Martyrs of Otranto’ in 2013 and Oscar Romero in 2018. He also announced the canonisation of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, scheduling these to occur during Jubilee celebrations this year.
As a college community, we are deeply saddened by the passing of Pope Francis, a pope who offered hope to so many, Catholics and non-Christians. His passion for Catholic Social Teachings and deep connection to the life of St Francis has left an indelible mark on the Catholic Church, the lives of billions of Catholics and the faith life of Kolbe Catholic College.
We pray for the future of the Catholic Church, the Cardinals who must now elect Pope Francis’ successor and for Pope Francis, may he rest eternally in Your grace.
“I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security”. Pope Francis - 2013
Nick Scully
Principal
