Remembering Pope Francis: Jesuit, Latin American and Prophet of Hope
Papa Francisco - Jesuita, latinoamericano y profeta de la Esperanza
The staff of OIS remembers and reflects on Pope Francis and his papacy…
“I have been deeply moved by Pope Francis’ efforts to create a culture of encounter and a pilgrim church traveling not to the center but to the margins, entering into the heart of humanity with reverence and a love that reaches out in solidarity and humble service to a world in need.”
“Pope Francis was for me both a key inspiration and a timely exemplar of contemplative leadership in three ways:
- First, he invited every person to feel our interconnectedness. He modeled this in how he welcomed every person he encountered and embodied closeness.
- Second, he called us to be agents of healing—to be a church that is a field hospital.
- Third, he challenged the human family to remember, to live deeply out of the power of memory: of God in my life, of my belonging to a people, of our histories so that we can act now with love and journey forward in hope towards a revolution of tenderness.
Francis was the Pope of my adulthood, and as both a theologian and a minister I hope to continue to live into his invitation to have “a big heart open to God and to others.”
“El pontificado del Papa Francisco se caracterizó por su enfoque en los más necesitados, su defensa de la justicia social y su compromiso con el cuidado del medio ambiente, reflejado en la encíclica Laudato Si’.
Su sencillez, carisma y visión de una Iglesia humilde, “pobre y para los pobres”, dejaron una profunda huella. Su legado perdura en las reflexiones y acciones que inspiró, impactando la vida de millones de creyentes y no creyentes en todo el mundo.”
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“Pope Francis’s pontificate was characterized by his focus on those most in need, his defense of social justice, and his commitment to environmental care, reflected in the encyclical Laudato Si’.
His simplicity, charisma, and vision of a humble Church, “poor and for the poor,” left a profound mark. His legacy lives on in the reflections and actions he inspired, impacting the lives of millions of believers and nonbelievers around the world.”
“Pope Francis offered us a more personal Pope, I felt welcomed.”
“Francis showed me that the Exercises had a significant impact on his life. Whenever he engaged in unexpected actions, surprising us all, I was reminded of Ignatius’ writings in the fourth week of the Exercises (230): love ought to manifest itself in deeds rather than in words.”
“When Jorge Bergoglio became Pope Francis, his heart burst open like a great door swung wide to the world. In the tender strength of his welcome and his listening, a quiet revolution stirred — one that only love could ignite. Some called it too much; others lamented it was not a bargaining table. Yet, through it all, it was an open heart that opened countless others, and none of us remained the same. ”
“Pope Francis was a breath of fresh air for the Church, leading by example, showing us and reminding us of the importance of looking towards and living on the margins as Jesus did.”
“Como el Papa Francisco dijo: “La paz es un don que requiere nuestro esfuerzo. Se construye día a día con pequeños gestos” !Papa Francisco, que vivas por siempre en Paz!”
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“Pope Francis said: ‘Peace is a gift that requires our effort. It is built day by day with small gestures.’ Pope Francis, may you live forever in peace!”
“I would sum up Pope Francis’s papacy and leadership with the word “welcome.” He welcomed each of us, no matter who we were, to take our place at the table and enter into a deeper relationship with Jesus.”
“In a simple but powerful way Pope Francis did the very thing I most needed; he made me want to be a better follower of Jesus.”
“When I think of Pope Francis, I just smile.”