“We will remember his words, actions, and endurance forever”: Warwick Catholics mourn Pope Francis

Catholic students at the University of Warwick are mourning Pope Francis following news of the pontiff’s death on Easter Monday (21 April).

The Argentinian, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, had held the prestigious office for over 12 years, and was the first Latin American and priest from the Jesuit Order to serve as Pope.

During his time as head of the Catholic Church, Francis was widely recognised for his efforts to modernise the papacy, including speaking out against what he labelled ‘cruel’ policies towards migrants and asylum-seekers, and welcoming transgender people into the Church, allowing them to become baptised and be recognised as godparents.

In a now-famous response to a question about a purportedly gay priest in 2013, the late pontiff remarked: “If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?”

In 2019, he convened a landmark summit on the issue [of sexual abuse] at the Vatican, calling it a “turning point”

Francis also confronted the Church’s long-running crisis of sexual abuse. He apologised publicly on several occasions, met with survivors, and pledged greater accountability.

In 2019, he convened a landmark summit on the issue at the Vatican, calling it a “turning point”. He also enacted legal reforms requiring all dioceses to establish systems for reporting abuse and mandating clergy to report misconduct.

His papacy was not free from controversy, however. In June 2024, the Vatican apologised following criticism for his repeated use of a homophobic slur and many clergy sexual abuse survivors still consider Francis’ response to the crisis to be inadequate.

Catholics around the world, and here at Warwick, have entered into a nine-day period of mourning this week.

The Papal Conclave, the secretive selection process for Francis’ successor as the Bishop of Rome, is set to take place following the conclusion of the mourning period.

Even though there were conflicts about his teaching even in the Catholic Church itself, Pope Francis never failed to reach out to the most needy in society. We will remember his words, actions, and endurance forever, and reflect on his teachings henceforth

Lily Lysik, Head of Socials at Warwick Catholic Society

It was kindness that defined Francis’ papacy for many Catholics. Reflecting on his passing, Lily Lysik, Head of Socials at Warwick Catholic Society told The Boar: “The Pope for me was the personification of the commandment ‘Love thy neighbour’ – something we all as Catholics are called to do.”

She continued: “Even though there were conflicts about his teaching even in the Catholic Church itself, Pope Francis never failed to reach out to the most needy in society. We will remember his words, actions, and endurance forever, and reflect on his teachings henceforth.”

In response to a request for comment, the University’s Catholic Chaplain, Father Simon Baker, referred to the words of Archbishop of Birmingham Bernard Longley: “As the remarkable pontificate of Pope Francis comes to a close all the faithful, Religious and clergy of our Archdiocese join in praying for the repose of his soul.

“We recall with gratitude the Canonisation of St John Henry Newman, Birmingham’s saint, in 2019 by Pope Francis and the late Holy Father’s appreciation for Cardinal Newman’s teachings on the development of doctrine.”

We also remember Pope Francis’s many ecumenical and inter-religious initiatives as he prayed and worked for the unity of the Church and of mankind and for the respect due to God’s creation

Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham

He added: “We also remember Pope Francis’s many ecumenical and inter-religious initiatives as he prayed and worked for the unity of the Church and of mankind and for the respect due to God’s creation. We pray that the Good Shepherd will now welcome the Successor of Peter into the company of saints. May he rest in peace.”

Pope Francis was also known for his efforts to reach out to other Christian denominations as well as other world religions.

He became the first Pope to visit the Arabian Peninsula in 2019, where he met Grand Imam Ahmad el-Tayeb and frequently issued condemnations of antisemitism, making several visits to synagogues.

One second-year student, a member of the Church of England, expressed their admiration for the work of the late pontiff: “He was a voice for all Christians in a way no one before him really could have been, or likely anyone after.”

“Compassion, charity, and hope: that’s what his papacy was known for, and it definitely didn’t hurt Protestantism either for that to be the case,” they noted.

A Requiem Mass will be held in the Chaplaincy for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis at 12:30pm on Thursday 1 May, at which students from all and no faith backgrounds are welcome

In response to the announcement of the Pope’s death, the University’s Chaplaincy shared a message of condolence for students: “The Chaplaincy Team joins our Catholic Community here at Warwick and all who around the world are mourning the death of Pope Francis. We give thanks for his witness and the inspiration he offered to so many throughout the world.”

“The Chapel in the Chaplaincy is available, as always, for personal prayer and reflection and Chaplains are available for anyone needing to talk.”

A Requiem Mass will be held in the Chaplaincy for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis at 12:30pm on Thursday 1 May, at which students from all and no faith backgrounds are welcome.